70% of Thais follow social distancing guidelines, 80% or more needed

“Social distancing is a very powerful tool to fight against Covid-19 and this weapon needs the engagement of all Thais.”

“Social distancing,” a new phrase for many since the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak began in January, is considered a crucial strategy to help stem the spread of the disease. And according to the latest survey conducted by the Department of Mental Health, around 70% of Thais understand and are following the nations social distancing guidelines. But that’s not enough.

The department’s director-general Kiattiphoom Vongrachit says that the survey was conducted last week among 26,000 respondents. The goal wis to exceed the 80% mark. He says the benchmark is based on research in Australia, which found that 80% of people using active social distancing is the threshold at which Covid-19 transmission can start to drop.

The Ministry of Public Health estimated that if social distancing compliance exceeds 80%, the number of Covid-19 cases nationwide will reach 7,745 by April 15. But cases are likely to climb past 17,000 by that date if social distancing compliance is only 50% they say. With no social distancing, the number of cases could skyrocket to 150,000 in two weeks, according to modelling.

• 71% of respondents say they are avoiding crowds, 24.7% admitted sometimes they need to mingle and the rest admitted they had not changed their behaviour

• 68% of respondents say they always keep a 2 metre distance from others, 26.6% admitted they only do it sometimes, and the rest said they ignore the distancing protocol.

• 82% of respondents say they always wear a protective mask they leave home, 14% said they wore masks occasionally when outside. Only 0.5% said they never wore masks.

• When it comes to washing their hands regularly, more than 90% of respondents said they did so, and also said they use serving spoons when eating with others, and not their own spoons.

• 76% said they are “moderately fearful” of Covid-19 disease, while 18% admitted they are terrified. Another 5.6% said their concern over the global pandemic is “low.”

SOURCE: Bangkok Post