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Support for restrictions to reduce the spread of Covid-19

31 Mar 2020

Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the following the following measures which have been implemented or suggested, to reduce the spread and transmission of Covid-19?

  NET: Support NET: Oppose Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
Closing Australia’s borders to other countries 88% 5% 74% 13% 7% 3% 2%
Making direct payments to people who have lost work due to Covid-19 82% 5% 57% 25% 13% 3% 2%
Closing pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes 81% 8% 57% 24% 11% 5% 3%
Closing borders between Australia’s states and territories 80% 9% 55% 24% 11% 6% 3%
Making direct payments to small and medium business who have lost income due to Covid-19 80% 7% 51% 29% 14% 4% 3%
Closing schools 69% 13% 43% 26% 18% 8% 4%
  • More than 80% of participants support five of the six implemented or suggested measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 – closing schools is the only measure with lower support (69% support).
NET: SUPPORT   Gender Age Group Location
Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+ Capital Non-Capital
Closing Australia’s borders to other countries 88% 82% 93% 77% 88% 96% 86% 91%
Making direct payments to people who have lost work due to Covid-19 82% 79% 85% 74% 82% 90% 81% 84%
Closing pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes 81% 76% 87% 73% 80% 90% 81% 82%
Closing borders between Australia’s states and territories 80% 73% 86% 74% 78% 86% 79% 81%
Making direct payments to small and medium business who have lost income due to Covid-19 80% 75% 84% 71% 78% 89% 78% 84%
Closing schools 69% 63% 75% 71% 69% 67% 69% 70%
Base (n) 1,086 539 547 341 362 383 727 359
  • Women and participants over 55 years olds are more supportive of all the listed measures than men or participants 18-34 years old.
    Household
NET: SUPPORT Total Have dependent children Do not have dependent children
Closing Australia’s borders to other countries 88% 85% 89%
Making direct payments to people who have lost work due to Covid-19 82% 78% 84%
Closing pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes 81% 79% 83%
Closing borders between Australia’s states and territories 80% 80% 80%
Making direct payments to small and medium business who have lost income due to Covid-19 80% 76% 82%
Closing schools 69% 69% 69%
Base (n) 1,086 713 373
  • There is no difference in support for closing schools between participants with dependent child and those without (both 69%).
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