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Mandatory face masks

28 Jul 2020

Q. To what extent do you support or oppose the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public places to reduce the spread of Covid-19?

    Gender Age group
  Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
Strongly oppose 5% 6% 4% 4% 8% 2%
Somewhat oppose 8% 10% 6% 12% 9% 3%
Neither support nor oppose 20% 21% 19% 25% 18% 17%
Somewhat support 27% 28% 25% 26% 27% 28%
Strongly support 41% 36% 46% 34% 38% 50%
TOTAL: Oppose 13% 16% 10% 16% 17% 6%
TOTAL: Support 68% 64% 71% 59% 65% 77%
Base (n) 1,058 538 520 341 331 386

 

    State
  Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA  
Strongly oppose 5% 2% 5% 8% 4% 5%  
Somewhat oppose 8% 8% 10% 9% 5% 7%  
Neither support nor oppose 20% 20% 12% 25% 26% 27%  
Somewhat support 27% 31% 20% 25% 27% 31%  
Strongly support 41% 39% 53% 33% 38% 30%  
TOTAL: Oppose 13% 10% 14% 17% 9% 12%  
TOTAL: Support 68% 70% 74% 58% 65% 61%  
Base (n) 1,058 352 239 220 88 110  
  • There is strong support for the mandatory use of face masks and coverings in public places, with two-thirds (68%) of participants supporting this enforcement. (either strongly or somewhat).
  • Support for this position was highest among women (71% support), those over 55 years old (77%), people in NSW (70%) and Victorian residents (74%).
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