Social activity levels rising and now above peak recorded late last summer, ESRI says
The Government’s decision to lift most Covid-19 restrictions at the end of February was followed by a “dramatic change” in people’s behaviour, according to new research.
People reported even steeper declines in how often others wore masks, including staff in shops, compared to how often they wore masks. On public transport, this measure fell from 75 per cent to 25 per cent. Researchers says that while a “very substantial and rapid” change in behaviour has coincided with increased Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations, “it is probably important also to consider the likely contribution to infections of the strong and sustained recent increase in close contacts”.