Public attitudes to Coronavirus: November update

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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