Public attitudes to Coronavirus: November update

This report includes some high level findings from recent polling work on public attitudes to the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.


5. Looking forward

Changing restrictions

Finally, surveys have examined people’s attitudes towards support for Coronavirus measures and future plans. This section summarises polling data about public confidence and comfort in resuming activities and current trends in activity across different sectors.

In September respondents were asked how they felt about the speed at which the Scottish Government was easing restrictions, and whether this was too fast, too slow or about right. Later respondents were asked whether they felt the level of restrictions currently in place was too strict, too relaxed, or about right.[10] As shown in Figure 26, around half felt the speed was ‘about right’, while one fifth thought it was too fast and less than one in seven thought it was too slow. Figure 26 also shows that the proportion who thought restrictions were ‘about right’ increased in late October, and the proportion reporting the restrictions were too relaxed fell.

Figure 26: Proportion who reported that the speed and level of restrictions is ‘about right’ or otherwise
The majority responded ‘about right’, 51%-55%. ‘About right’ for the level of restrictions increased from 37%-46%

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1018)

Support for measures

Respondents were also asked whether they agreed or disagreed with two statements about the way restrictions were being handled in Scotland. Figure 27 shows that the majority agreed that they support the way restrictions are being handled, and that they support restrictions being handled in a different way to the rest of the UK. Levels of agreement decreased in the second half of September and have fluctuated since.

Figure 27: Proportion who agreed/strongly agreed with the statements shown
Both fluctuate and decline somewhat; from 73% to 61% (‘handled) and 74% to 66% (handled in a different way)

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1053)

Respondents were also asked whether they agreed or disagreed with two statements about the prospect of additional or tighter restrictions. Figure 28 shows that around four fifths agreed they would support additional restrictions in areas where case numbers rise, although this fell during early and mid-October. A similar proportion agreed that they would be happy to follow stricter restrictions if it stops the overall situation getting worse. 

Figure 28: Proportion who agreed/agreed strongly with the statements shown
Support the introduction of additional restrictions declines slightly from 83%-77%. The other line remains high

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1023)

Returning to normal

Respondents were asked which places they have visited in the past week, if any, from a list of available options. As shown in Figure 29, there was a decrease in the overall proportion who reported to having visited somewhere in the past week in mid-October due to a decrease in the proportion visiting hospitality.

Figure 29: Proportion who reported visiting each location in the past week
The proportion visited any place decreases from 66% to 57% in the latest wave, with a drop at 29-30 September

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1053)

Respondents were asked whether they felt comfortable doing a range of activities in the next month. Figure 30 shows that the proportions who reported feeling comfortable going to their usual workplace were consistently higher than proportion who felt comfortable travelling by public transport, or going to a bar or pub. Levels of comfort for undertaking each of these activities in the next month increased between late September and early October.

Figure 30: Proportion who reported they were ‘fairly’ or ‘very’ comfortable doing each activity in the next month
There is an increase for each: 59%-66% for workplace, 30%-38% for bar/pub, and 34%-40% for bus/train

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1005-1012)

Respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with two statements about the future. As shown in Figure 31, around four fifths agreed that they are worried about the long-lasting effect of the restrictions on jobs and the economy, and three fifths agreed that, in the long-term, climate change is as serious a crisis as Coronavirus is.

Figure 31: Proportion who agreed/agreed strongly with the statements shown
Worry for effect of the restrictions on jobs remains 80%-82%. The other remains between 60%-62%

Source: YouGov weekly Scotland survey. Base (n=1000-1040)

Contact

Email: covid-19.behaviours@gov.scot

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