'Keeping you informed about COVID-19' survey - Feedback

This survey sought views on respondents’ level of concern with COVID-19, level of understanding of the rules and guidance in place at the time of the survey and the likelihood of following these, and views on the importance of vaccinations, as well as how informed respondents felt about the virus and where they receive information about it.

The survey was open for three weeks, from 10 February 2022 to 6 March 2022. Three groups of stakeholders were invited to take part including, the Council’s Participate Panel, residents in the Garden Quarter ward in Chester, and the young people’s sector. This included young people on the Council’s Youth Senate and at the University of Chester as well as Council and University staff working with young people.

Below is a summary of the key messages to emerge from the survey which were broadly similar across the three groups of stakeholders:

Level of concern

• Respondents felt that their level of worry has decreased or varied throughout the course of the pandemic and that, at the time of the survey, they felt somewhat worried or not very worried.

Rules and guidance

• In the main, respondents felt confident that they understood the rules and guidance related to Coronavirus.
• The main measures selected by respondents as those they carry out regularly included handwashing and wearing face coverings. In the young people’s sector survey, testing and ventilation were also often selected.
• A key motivation respondents listed for undertaking actions to reduce the spread of Coronavirus was out of concern for their own health and the health of others.
• A number of respondents said they were discouraged by seeing others breaking the rules as this made their own actions feel pointless.
• Practical barriers to undertaking actions to stop the spread of Coronavirus were also referenced by respondents, including accessibility of testing, or cold weather preventing meeting outside or opening windows.
• Respondents were likely to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test if they had any of the main symptoms of Coronavirus.
• Many respondents said they would take a PCR test to confirm a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) and they would want to know if they have COVID-19.
• Some felt an LFT was sufficient and others referenced convenience, cost and availability of testing as potential barriers.
• Respondents were likely to self-isolate according to the latest rules and guidance.
• Many people said they would self-isolate to protect others and stop the spread. Many people referred to it as a duty, obligation, common sense and the right thing to do.

Vaccinations

• Respondents felt it was very important to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations
• Many people said they were encouraged to receive their Coronavirus vaccinations to stay healthy and/or return to a normal life, while a number of people said they were encouraged to receive their vaccination to benefit and protect the whole population and that it is the right thing to do.

Communication

• Respondents felt very or fairly well informed by the Council about the Coronavirus pandemic.
• National news and central government were listed by respondents as channels by which they found out information about Coronavirus. These are also the channels respondents said they trusted the most.
• Of the local channels, the Council website and town centre posters and digital screens were those listed by the most respondents, also reflected in the list of channels they trusted the most.
• Many respondents said their main need was for true and accurate information.

Next steps:

The results are being used to guide future Council communications about COVID-19 and other public health issues, to help keep communities safe.

The full findings from this survey and how the feedback is being used is available to read here.