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  • Jul, 2020

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    Mandatory face masks

    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%).
  • Jul, 2020

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    Effectiveness of face masks

    Q. In your opinion, how effective are face masks or coverings at preventing the spread of Covid-19?

        Gender Age group
      Total Male Female 18-34 35-54 55+
    Very effective 19% 21% 17% 22% 19% 16%
    Quite effective 46% 43% 49% 40% 47% 51%
    Not that effective 20% 22% 17% 24% 19% 17%
    Not effective at all 5% 7% 4% 5% 7% 4%
    Unsure 10% 7% 13% 8% 9% 12%
    Base (n) 1,058 538 520 341 331 386

     

        State
      Total NSW VIC QLD SA WA
    Very effective 19% 18% 19% 20% 19% 13%
    Quite effective 46% 49% 56% 34% 43% 42%
    Not that effective 20% 19% 14% 24% 25% 26%
    Not effective at all 5% 4% 5% 10% 2% 6%
    Unsure 10% 11% 6% 13% 12% 13%
    Base (n) 1,058 352 239 220 88 110

     

    • There is widespread belief that using face masks can reduce the spread of the virus, 19% think they are very effective and 46% quite effective. Just 5% thinking they are not effective at all effective in preventing the spread of Covid-19.
    • Victorians are most likely to believe masks are effective at preventing the spread of Covid-19 with 19% believing they are ‘very effective’ and 56% saying ‘quite effective’.
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