Coronavirus (COVID-19): public attitudes and behaviours - April update
Findings from polling work, conducted between September 2021 and January 2022, on public attitudes and behaviours around the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.
5. Compliance
This section presents data about public awareness of, and reaction to, Coronavirus measures.
Following the guidance
Respondents were provided with statements about government advice and guidance, and asked about the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with each.
From 7-8 September to 18-19 January, between 19% and 24% of respondents strongly/tended to agree with the statement 'I am finding it hard to always stick to the government guidelines' (Figure 33).
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1044)
Compliance with restrictions
Respondents were asked to what extent, on a scale of 1-7, they felt they were following all the regulations and guidance on what to do and not to do during the Coronavirus pandemic. Levels of compliance have remained high and stable throughout this period.
In early September, around two thirds (65%) reported 'majority' compliance (score 6-7) and just under one third (31%) 'lower' compliance (score 1-5), as shown in Figure 34. From 21-22 September through to 18-19 January, 'majority' compliance ranged between 65% and 71%, and 'lower' compliance between 25% and 30%.
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1044)
Protective measures
Respondents were asked how important they felt different measures are for keeping Coronavirus under control, and how well they felt they were adhering to these measures.
Throughout the period September to January, a high proportion of respondents rated the protective measures as being 'very' or 'fairly' important (Figure 35). Respondents have consistently rated 'washing/sanitising hands' as being the most important measure (88%-92%), alongside self-isolating and booking a test at the first sign of symptoms (87% to 92%). Over time, there has been a decline in how important respondents think some of the protective measures are. The importance of opening windows/doors decreased from 80% on 7-8 September to 72% on 18-19 January, and the importance of meeting outdoors decreased from 84% to 77%.
| Protective measure | 7-8 Sep | 21-22 Sep | 5-6 Oct | 19-20 Oct | 2-3 Nov | 16-17 Nov | 30 Nov- 1 Dec | 14-15 Dec | 4-5 Jan | 18-19 Jan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing/ sanitising hands when out and about | 91% | 91% | 90% | 89% | 92% | 89% | 90% | 89% | 90% | 88% |
| Self-isolating and booking test at first sign symptoms | 91% | N/A | 91% | N/A | 92% | 89% | N/A | 89% | N/A | 87% |
| Avoiding crowded/busy places | 88% | 87% | 87% | 86% | 87% | 84% | 87% | 86% | 87% | 83% |
| Wearing a face covering | 85% | 84% | 83% | 82% | 84% | 81% | 84% | 83% | 84% | 80% |
| Meeting others outdoors in the fresh air whenever possible | 84% | 83% | 81% | 82% | 82% | 78% | 82% | 78% | 82% | 77% |
| Staying at least 1m/3 feet away from others not in household | N/A | 81% | N/A | 80% | N/A | 78% | 82% | N/A | 83% | N/A |
| Opening windows/doors if with people from different household | 80% | 77% | 75% | 74% | 75% | 72% | 73% | 77% | 76% | 72% |
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1044)
Respondents were also asked how well they thought they were doing various activities. It appears that the perceived importance of protective measures does not guarantee that these protective measures will be followed to the same extent. Throughout this period, a high proportion of respondents reported that they were adhering to each of the protective measures either 'very' or 'fairly well' although there have been some notable declines. 90% to 92% of respondents have consistently reported wearing a face covering, if required, either 'very' or 'fairly well', and 87% to 90% washing/sanitising hands. A lower proportion of respondents have reported they are opening windows/doors when with people from different households, falling from 77% on 7-8 September to its lowest level of 58% at 18-19 January. There has also been a decline in those who report meeting outdoors whenever possible, from 82% to 73%.
| Protective measure | 7-8 Sep | 21-22 Sep | 5-6 Oct | 19-20 Oct | 2-3 Nov | 16-17 Nov | 30 Nov-1 Dec | 14-15 Dec | 4-5 Jan | 18-19 Jan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wearing a face covering (when required) | 90% | 92% | 92% | 91% | 91% | 91% | 91% | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Washing/ sanitising hands regularly when out and about | 90% | 90% | 89% | 88% | 89% | 88% | 87% | 88% | 89% | 87% |
| Avoiding crowded/busy places | 86% | 83% | 86% | 86% | 83% | 84% | 82% | 85% | 87% | 84% |
| Staying at least 1m/3 feet away from other people not in household | 76% | 76% | 76% | 77% | 75% | 76% | 76% | 76% | 80% | 75% |
| Meeting others outdoors in the fresh air whenever possible | 82% | 77% | 75% | 77% | 73% | 73% | 71% | 70% | 74% | 73% |
| Opening windows/doors if with people from different household | 77% | 72% | 65% | 66% | 62% | 61% | 59% | 61% | 62% | 58% |
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1044) venue in the past 7 days (n=319-506)
From September to January, between 29% and 45% of respondents who had visited a hospitality venue[15] in the past week stated that everyone in their party had been asked for their contact details (Figure 37). This has remained fairly low and stable, with a drop at 14-15 December to 29%.
| 7-8 Sep | 21-22 Sep | 5-6 Oct | 19-20 Oct | 2-3 Nov | 16-17 Nov | 30 Nov-1 Dec | 14-15 Dec | 4-5 Jan | 18-19 Jan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everybody in the party was asked for contact details in hospitality | 45% | 39% | 42% | 37% | 35% | 35% | 36% | 29% | 34% | 36% |
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults who visited a hospitality (n=319-506)
Motivations to stick to restrictions, test and follow protective measures
Respondents were asked what positive motivations most encourage them to stick to restrictions, do testing and follow other protective measures.[16] Figure 38 shows the ranking of different reasons which encourage respondents to change their behaviours as at 14-15 December. The percentages show the proportion of respondents that identified each option as being a top motivation, with respondents asked to identify all that apply.
Protecting others (loved ones, then strangers) and keeping health services running were cited as being the most compelling reasons to stick to restrictions, test and follow protective measures.
The top 3 motivations respondents listed were:
1. to protect friends and family (60%)
2. to keep hospitalisations from Coronavirus at low levels to allow the NHS to catch up on other treatments/operations (58%)
3. to protect people who are vulnerable (58%)
Source: YouGov Scotland Survey. Base: Adults (n=1022)
Contact
Email: covid-19.behaviours@gov.scot
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