Poll on coronavirus (COVID-19) impact UK 2020

In an IPSOS survey carried out in February 2020, nearly three-quarters of British respondents believed a total quarantine would be correct given the risk of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Nearly seventy percent of respondents also think that it is impossible to predict how the virus is spreading and that is the reason for the virus entering the United Kingdom (UK). Furthermore, 26 percent of Brits are of the opinion that the virus poses a high threat to their country, but only 12 percent believe it poses a high threat on a personal level.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Opinion on personal financial impact, threat perception, and preventive policy assessment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United Kingdom (UK) in February 2020, by statement*

Characteristic	Share of respondents
1. A total quarantine is correct given the risk	74%
2. A total quarantine is excessive	26%
3. It is impossible to forecast how the virus is spreading	69%
4. Correct preventative measures were not enforced by my country's authorities	31%
5. The coronavirus will have a financial impact on me and my family	32%
6. The coronavirus poses a very high or high threat to my country	26%
7. The coronavirus poses a very high or high threat to me personally	12%

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Release date

March 2020

More information

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

February 28-29, 2020

Number of respondents

Approx 1,000 respondents

Age group

16-74 years

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

* The original questions were worded by the source as follows:
Statements 1-2: "If you heard your government had decided to totally quarantine certain towns or cities because of large numbers of coronavirus or COVID-19 cases meaning no one could go in or out, which would you think?"

Statements 3-4: "That the coronavirus or COVID-19 has found its way into my country means that..."

Statement 5: Share of respondents who strongly or somewhat agree with the statement.

Statements 6-7: "What level of threat do you think the coronavirus poses to each of the following?"

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