By Only 60% of people to avoid non-essential contact
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has told Britons to avoid all non-essential travel anywhere in the world today as the Government tried to battle the coronavirus pandemic. We carried out a poll of around 4000 people across England, which shows that only 60% of people have plans to avoid non-essential contact and travel.
Public responses varied, but what is clear is that there has been widespread frustration and confusion over what is meant by non-essential, and over perceived conflicts in advice:
“What about the emergency services, shop assistants, delivery drivers, taxi drivers, transportation workers, post office workers and cleaners? None of these people have the option of working at home. They have to pay their bills. I’d say that’s essential.”
“Define non-essential. It is essential that I got to work and I cannot work from home.”
“There’s no point avoiding socialising when children are still expected to attend school.”
When questioned in this afternoon’s briefing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“The advice is to avoid all unnecessary contact. This means avoiding gatherings large and small. I think that people understand what we mean.
This will be temporary.
I understand completely people’s thoughts on schools, and we’re keeping that under constant review.”
Johnson said that he takes full responsibility for the actions of this government. He added that he understands that the state is asking people to make profound changes, and that the state should in turn support them through this fast moving situation.
He also assured the public of his absolute confidence in the ability of our supply chains to continue to function, stating that people have no reason to stockpile, and that the food supply will not fail.
Cinemas and theatres across the UK have now closed. The public are being advised not to visit pubs, restaurants, clubs and other social venues, but they have not been told to close, and therefore cannot claim any government assistance, or from their insurance.
What do you think – are people forced into working because of their financial circumstances, or is this purely selfish behaviour?
Do you think that the UK government have gone far enough in specifying what ‘non-essential’ means?
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