Devon plays safe on covid

Most people will keep to old rules

The vast majority of people will stay at home if they develop symptoms of coronavirus, according to a Devon County Council poll.

Of more than 3,500 responses so far, around 2,910 say they will do just that, rather than risk spreading it to others.194 respondees say that they won't, and 402 were unsure what they'll do.

Asked whether they'll carry on wearing face coverings when in crowded indoor spaces, again most people - 2,780 of the responses - say that they will, 452 say that they won't, and 274 were unsure.

And an overwhelming 3,004 of the total respondees confirmed that they feel safer meeting people outside in the fresh air, with just 312 saying they don't and 190 unsure.

But the closest result in the council poll was when asked if people will continue to take the lateral flow test even after the tests stop being available for free.

1,183 people said that they will, 1,099 say they won't, and 1,224 are unsure.

Steve Brown, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said:

"The quick poll gives an indication of how people are feeling right now about risk, and about how they intend to carry on behaving in future, now that there's no longer any legal requirement to self-isolate and free access to testing comes to an end this month.

"The responses say to me that there's still a lot of concern among people about coronavirus in our communities.

"We don't know the profile of our respondees of course, so have no knowledge about whether they are older or younger, fit or more vulnerable.
"It is however very reassuring to see that the majority of people who have responded to our survey are indicating cautious behaviours that will help to protect themselves and others from the spread of coronavirus.

"The result on people's attitude to testing is perhaps unsurprising.  We're waiting to see further guidance from the government about who will continue to have free access to tests from April.

"But while they're freely available for the rest of this month, many people may not have looked that far ahead yet to decide whether or not they'll continue to use them.

"The public health advice, of course, is that continued use of lateral flow tests, especially if you're visiting older or vulnerable friends or relatives, is important."

The poll results come as Devon starts to see another rise in COVID-19 cases across the county in all age groups, with the rates currently highest and growing fastest in the working age population.