Essential Report
Support for restrictions to reduce the spread of Covid-19
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%).

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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