A majority of people are concerned about the spread of Covid-19, the disease spread by the novel coronavirus, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
The poll was conducted on March 11-12 on 1,260 people aged 15 and over throughout the country to compile their opinions on the coronavirus spread in Thailand.
A majority -- 68.18% -- of the respondents said they were concerned about the virus spread; 32.86% were very concerned and 35.32% rather concerned. On the other side, 18.33% said they were only slightly concerned and 13.49% not concerned at all.
Asked how frequently they wore a face mask, 32.54% said they wore one whenever they left their houses; 25.71% wore one while at a gathering place; 20.56% never wore one; 13.02% wore one occasionally; 7.14% rarely wore one; 0.71% wore one while feeling unwell; and 0.32% wore one while in close contact with a sick person.
Asked what kinds of news about Covid-19 made them worried, the answers varied as follows:
- 31.43% People refusing to go into self-quarantine after returning from at-risk countries
- 28.41% Shortage or hoarding of face masks
- 21.75% The rising number of Thai infections
- 21.11% The government's indecision and conflicting announcements
- 17.14% The lack of strict law enforcement against those who refuse to go into self-quarantine
- 16.43% The inflated prices of face masks and hand gel
- 9.92% Fake news about Covid-19
- 9.21% The increasing number of global infections
- 8.25% Confusing news about how to prevent Covid-19
- 7.70% People becoming excessively panicked
- 6.11% Some politicians making Covid-19 a political issue
Asked what measures the government should take to cope with the Covid-19 spread in Thailand, the answers varied as follows:
- 35.95% An entry ban on foreigners from at-risk countries
- 32.70% Heavier punishment for people who refuse to go into self-quarantine on returning from at-risk countries
- 28.02% Heavier punishment for face mask hoarders
- 25.08% Heavier punishment for those who sell face masks and hand gel at inflated prices
- 23.17% Setting up an information centre on Covid-19
- 18.17% Mass sanitisation of public places
- 14.37% Sanitisation of airport buildings
- 13.02% A lockdown of the country
- 7.62% Closure of gathering places such as schools, universities, cinemas and sports stadiums
- 2.38% Free distribution of face masks and hand gel
