9 out of 10 Aussies followed COVID-19 rules

Almost all say they had faith in health authorities' recommendations and aim to be 'socially responsible', the UNSW study reports
Australian Associated Press

More than nine in 10 Australians at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic performed “avoidance behaviours”, new research suggests.

The study surveyed 1420 Australians between 18-24 March about their attitudes and beliefs towards the health crisis.

While 50% of respondents weren’t overly worried about the threat of coronavirus to their personal health, more than 90% said they had changed their behaviour to help stop its spread, said lead author Dr Holly Seale from UNSW.

A total of 42% of respondents perceived the level of COVID-19 risk as very low or low, with 38% perceiving the risk as intermediate.