Number of Covid-19 certificates being checked at pubs drops, survey finds

The proportion of pub-goers not having their Covid-19 certificates checked on entry has almost doubled, despite concern over non-compliance contributing to the current rise in cases.

Over 37 per cent of indoor diners in pubs said their certificate was not checked in October, compared to 21 per cent the month before, according to the latest report monitoring behaviour.

At the same time, more pub-goers are dining indoors, up from 57 per cent to 77 per cent over the period, the report by the Economic and Social Research Institute found.

Over one-quarter of those going to cafes and one-third of restaurant-diners said their Covid-19 certificates were not checked.

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Most people say they would accept a vaccine booster if offered one, but the proportion is smaller than those who accepted the first vaccine, the ESRI’s social activity measure found.

Aside from the 81 per cent who support a booster, 8 per cent say they didn’t get the first vaccine and 10 per cent say they won’t take a booster.

Parents are divided on whether to allow their children under 12 to be vaccinated if it was recommended; 40 per cent say they would, 30 per cent say they would not and 30 per cent answered “maybe”.

Booster hesitancy is highest among people in their 30s, women and lower socio-economic groups; the most commonly cited reason is not seeing a need or benefit for one.

Half of us report not wanting life to go back to how it was before the pandemic, according to the measure covering the period October 19th-26th. Changes to work patterns and commuting, and reduced pressure to socialise, were the most commonly cited positive changes.

Thirty per cent of people think the Government’s response to the pandemic is insufficient, the highest level since last April. One in five people expect restrictions to be tightened this month; conversely, there has been a sharp drop in the number expecting a further loosening of restrictions.

Fatigue with restrictions remained relatively stable, and people report paying more attention to news coverage of Covid-19.

Self-reported compliance has also remained unchanged since mid-Summer, but there was a sharp drop in people’s belief that others are following guidelines.

Worry about the pandemic varies by issue, with people most worried about the healthcare system and least worried about contracting the virus themselves.

The report notes that people’s perception of Covid-19 risk sometimes diverges from public health advice. For example, those who dine outdoors perceive the same level of risk as those who dine indoors. Schools are perceived as more risky locations than pubs or restaurants. People’s own homes are perceived as the least risky location and public transport the most risky.

One in 12 workers says they are attending the office because they feel pressurised to do so.