OCTA poll: Over 30% of Filipinos do not follow physical distancing rule

(FILE PHOTO) Plastic dividers help passengers maintain physical distancing in a jeepney plying the Tandang Sora-Quezon City Hall route. INQUIRER FILE/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — While the majority of Filipinos comply with minimum public health standards such as wearing face masks and face shields, fewer are able to observe social or physical distancing.

This was the finding of Octa Research in its independent and non-commissioned survey conducted from January 26 to February 1.

The report released Tuesday indicated that 91% of Filipinos wore face masks, 90% said they clean their hands via hand washing or using alcohol disinfectant, and 82% said they use face shields.

But only 67% said they observe physical distancing, according to Octa Research’s survey, while 60% said they stay at home when it is not necessary to go out.

Less than half, or 43%, said they avoid going to crowded places while 41% said they avoid people who are sick.

The number of Filipinos avoiding domestic travel was at 25% while only 20% said they consult a doctor or healthcare provider when they are not feeling well, the Octa Research survey has shown.

In terms of frequency of use, the survey showed that 89% of Filipinos “always” wear their face masks when going outside their homes but only 64% said they always wear face shields in public places.

Meanwhile, only 68% of Filipinos regularly observed physical distancing or 1-meter distance when engaging with other people outside the house.

The poll, which involved 1,200 Filipino respondents aged 18 years old and above, was released after the Department of Health (DOH) recorded considerable increases in COVID-19 infections since early March. For four consecutive days, DOH reported more than 3,000 new cases.

As of March 9, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country surpassed 600,000 including over 41,000 active cases.

KGA