Public attitudes to coronavirus: November update
This report presents findings from polling work, conducted between March and August 2021, on public attitudes to the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.
4. 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. Throughout this period, between 20% and 28% of respondents agreed with the statement I am finding it hard to always stick to the government guidelines’. At the end of August (24-25), 20% of respondents agreed that they found it hard to always stick to government guidelines.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=807-1063)
Compliance with restrictions
Respondents were asked to what extent, on a scale of 1-7, they felt they were following the regulations and guidance on what to do and not to do during the Coronavirus pandemic.[12] Levels of compliance have remained high throughout this period. At the beginning of March, three quarters of respondents reported ‘majority’ compliance (score 6-7) and just under one quarter (23%) ‘lower’ compliance (score 1-5). During April and May, ‘majority’ compliance ranged between 66%-74% and ‘lower’ compliance between 24%-31%. From June through to August, around two thirds of respondents reported ‘majority’ compliance, and under a third (28%-31%) lower levels of compliance.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=980-1063)
We asked respondents to indicate which activities (from a list) they had undertaken in the previous week. Separate questions covered indoor meetings, outdoor meetings, travel and transport. We then grouped together as 'non-compliant' anything in contravention of the regulations at the time.[13]
As shown in Figure 19, at the beginning of March, 7% of respondents reported non-compliant behaviour in transport (such as travel in a car without a face covering with someone not in their household, or travel on public transport without a face covering). This increased to 21% at the end of July.
At the beginning of March, when there was strict guidance around indoor meetings, 23% reported any ‘non-compliant’ behaviour indoors (such as meeting up indoors with more than one person over 12 years old from another household). By 4/5 May, this increased to 31% and by 27-28 July, it had fallen to 21%. ‘Non-compliant’ behaviour outdoors has varied between 9% and 19%. At the beginning of March, 10% of respondents reported ‘non-compliant’ travel (including travel for non-essential reasons when ‘Stay at Home’ guidance was in place). By the end of July, this had fallen to 0% (when ‘non-compliant’ behaviour included travel for non-essential purposes to a ‘red list’ country).
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=807-1063)
From March through to July, respondents were also asked if they have been adapting the guidance as they did not think everything was necessary. There was an increase in the proportion of respondents who agreed with the statement ‘I have been adapting the guidance as I don’t think everything is necessary’, from just under 1 in 5 (18%) on 2-3 March to just over a quarter (26%) on 13-14 July.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1028)
As shown in Figure 21, between March and May, 71% to 78% of respondents said they either ‘tend to’ or ‘strongly’ agree that ‘It is more important now than ever to stick to the rules’. In June, this declined to 66%.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=807-1063)
Protective measures
Respondents were asked how important they felt different measures are for keeping Coronavirus under control. Throughout this period, a high proportion of respondents rated the protective measures as being ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ important. Respondents have consistently rated ‘washing/sanitising hands’ as being the most important measure (88%-94%), and opening windows/doors (when with people from outside of the household) as the least important (75%-79%). Over time, there has been a small decline in how important respondents think some of the protective measures are particularly washing/sanitising hands, keeping either 1m (or previously 2m) away, wearing face coverings, and avoiding crowded/busy places.
| Protective Measure | 6/7 Apr | 4/5 May | 1/2 Jun | 13/14 Jul | 10/11 Aug | 24/25 Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening windows/doors* if with people from different household | 79% | 76% | 76% | 76% | 75% | 77% |
| Only meeting outdoors in the fresh air** | 84% | 79% | 77% | Not asked | Not asked | Not asked |
| Meeting others outdoors in the fresh air whenever possible | Not asked | Not asked | Not asked | 80% | 82% | 83% |
| Wearing a face covering | 86% | 86% | 84% | 83% | 81% | 80% |
| Washing/sanitising hands*** | 94% | 93% | Not asked | 90% | 90% | 88% |
| Avoiding crowded/busy places | 93% | 89% | 88% | 88% | 86% | 84% |
| Self-isolating and testing at the first sign of symptoms | Not asked | Not asked | 92% | 91% | 89% | Not asked |
| Staying at least 2m/1m**** away from others not in household | 87% | 83% | 80% | Not asked | Not asked | 78% |
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1055)
Respondents were also asked how well they thought they were doing various activities. Throughout this period, a high proportion of respondents report that they are adhering to each of the protective measures either ‘very’ or ‘fairly well’. Over 90% of respondents have consistently reported they are wearing a face covering, if required, either ‘very’ or ‘fairly well’. A lower proportion of respondents have reported they are opening windows/doors when with people from different households, although this has increased slightly since April (from 69% in April to 74% in August). There has been a decline in those who report avoiding crowded/busy places well (from 94% in April to 85% in August) and those who feel they are maintaining physical distancing from others not in their household (from 86% in April to 77% in August).
| Protective Measure | 6/7 Apr | 4/5 May | 1/2 Jun | 13/14 Jul | 10/11 Aug | 24/25 Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening windows/doors* if with people from different household | 69% | 70% | 72% | 74% | Not asked | 74% |
| Only meeting outdoors in the fresh air** | 89% | 84% | 79% | Not asked | Not asked | Not asked |
| Meeting others outdoors in the fresh air whenever possible | Not asked | Not asked | Not asked | 82% | Not asked | 78% |
| Wearing a face covering | 95% | 93% | 94% | 91% | Not asked | 93% |
| Washing/sanitising hands*** | 89% | 88% | 84% | 89% | Not asked | 88% |
| Avoiding crowded/busy places | 94% | 92% | 90% | 88% | Not asked | 85% |
| Staying at least 2m/1m**** away from others not in household | 86% | 83% | 80% | 79% | Not asked | 77% |
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults (n=1001-1055)
Working from home
As shown in Figure 24, at the beginning of March, 29% of respondents were working from home. By the end of April, this dropped slightly to just over a quarter and has remained at similar levels throughout May, June, July and August. On 2-3 March, 8% of respondents said they were currently furloughed/placed on the job support scheme. This has declined throughout subsequent polling and had fallen to 1% by 24-25 August.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults not retired (n=742-767)
Self-isolation
For respondents who had reported experience of, or possible contact with, Coronavirus over the preceding three months, they were asked what actions they had taken as a result. Over half of respondents in April 20-21 (56%) and June 29-30 (59%) reported that they had immediately self-isolated.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: Adults who had experience of, or contact with, possible Coronavirus since beginning of January 2021 (20-21 April, n=116) and since the beginning of April 2021 (29-30 June, n=90)
Regular testing for Coronavirus
From 26th April, any adult in Scotland has been able to access testing for Coronavirus twice weekly when they don’t have symptoms. Respondents were asked their awareness that everyone could access tests in this way. As shown in Figure 26, at the end of April (27-28), 66% of respondents were aware of this ability to receive twice weekly tests. This rose by the end of August (24-25) to 84% of respondents. From 29-30 June respondents were also asked if they had ordered or collected tests available in this way since 26th April. This rose from 37% of the total sample at the end of June to 50% of respondents at the end of August.
Source: YouGov Scotland survey. Base: All Scottish Adults (n=980-1063)
Contact
Email: covid-19.behaviours@gov.scot
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