Less than HALF of Britons are social distancing at all times, ONS survey reveals

Less than HALF of Britons are social distancing at all times – but 90% say they WILL wear a face mask, ONS survey reveals

  • Only 47 per cent of people say they ‘always’ keep a safe distance from others
  • The Office for National Statistics surveyed 1,500 people from July 22 to 26
  •  It found 73 per cent met up with others to socialise, up from 71 per cent

A majority of the population said they do not observe social distancing at all times, according to a new official survey.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that only 47 per cent said they ‘always’ kept a safe distance from others.

Some 31 per cent said they kept a distance ‘often’, 13 per cent said ‘sometimes’ and 5 per cent said ‘not very often’. 

And only 3 per cent said they ‘never’ carried out social distancing.

Less than half of Britons are social distancing at all times but 90 per cent say they will wear a face mask according to an ONS survey

The figures will be a cause for concern as the country continues to see local outbreaks leading to new lockdown measures.

The survey also found that 73 per cent met up with others to socialise – a small rise on the 71 per cent reported in last week’s data.

Overall, 94 per cent said they had left their home during the week.

In the wake of new Government guidelines, the poll found that wearing a face mask is becoming second nature as nine out of ten said they were now ‘likely’ to use a face covering when they leave the house.

The survey found that 84 per cent of Britons reported wearing a mask in the last seven days – up from 61 per cent two weeks earlier

The survey found that 84 per cent of Britons reported wearing a mask in the last seven days – up from 61 per cent two weeks earlier

It also found that 84 per cent reported wearing one in the last seven days – up from 61 per cent two weeks earlier. 

ONS surveyed 1,500 people from July 22 to 26 – the time when wearing masks became compulsory in shops in England. 

The survey found many are abiding by the face covering rules – with only 3 per cent saying they were unlikely to wear a mask in the coming days.

ONS surveyed 1,500 people from July 22 to 26 – the time when wearing masks became compulsory in shops in England

ONS surveyed 1,500 people from July 22 to 26 – the time when wearing masks became compulsory in shops in England

But the survey showed slow progress in workers returning to their offices. Only 54 per cent said they had travelled to work in the previous seven days.

The poll also revealed that many are still reluctant to leave their home for leisure. 

In data that will worry ministers trying to restart the economy, only a third said they would feel comfortable eating indoors at a restaurant.

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