Survey: Majority mistrust rules to fight coronavirus

More than half of people in developed countries believe that restrictions on travel and mandatory self-isolation will not stop the spread of coronavirus.

In an online survey involving 14,000 people conducted by Ipsos between March 19 and 21, majority in eight out of the 14 countries surveyed said social distancing, travel bans, and self-isolation will not prevent the spread of the virus.

The survey was conducted on the Global Advisor online platform among adults aged 18 to 74 in Canada and the US and 16 to 74 in Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Russia, Vietnam and the UK.

Majority in Japan (62 per cent), India (61 per cent), Mexico (59 per cent), Brazil (56 per cent), Germany and Vietnam (55 per cent), and Australia (52 per cent) believe social distancing will not work.

On the other hand, 61 per cent of Chinese respondents, Canada (59 per cent), Italy (57 per cent) and France (56 per cent) believe the measures will work.

“These findings help to explain why isolation is not being obeyed in some countries. We are divided on whether or not it works,” said Ipsos Public Affairs CEO, Darrell Bricker 

The number of people who believe national boundaries should be closed until the virus is contained rose between March 19 and March 21 and was lower between March 12 and March 14.

“The most significant increases are seen in Canada and France (+28), Germany and the UK (+23) and Australia (+14),” the survey shows.

There was a noticeable increase in the number of people who fear coronavirus poses a high threat to their job or business in all countries, with Vietnam leading at 66 per cent and Italy 63 per cent.

The lowest was Japan with 32 per cent.