Press release -

Researchers on pandemic restrictions: increase compliance instead of investing in numerous restrictions

Responses from 9 500 inhabitants in 11 countries in a study financed by the EU have given the researchers an insight into how governments should act to stop the spread of the virus.
“Implementing a combination of many restrictions has the opposite effect. Increase compliance with existing restrictions instead,” says Sofia Wikman, researcher at University of Gävle.

In an online questionnaire, researchers asked citizens about 44 different restrictive public health measures aimed to limit the spread of the virus to see how efficient citizens found them. What restrictions are seen as infringements of individual liberties? What views and demographic factors impact compliance? What is the best way for governments to improve citizens’ compliance?

There were 9543 responses to the survey and respondents came from 11 countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Czechia, Finland, India, Latvia, Poland, Rumania and Sweden

Best measures according to citizens

The new study provides researchers with unique responses concerning what measures the citizens find to be the most effective, and which ones they see as undermining their human rights.

Responses reveal that politicians should start with the least restrictive and most effective public health measures first in case of pandemic emergencies.

“Measures require balancing between the negative financial, psychological, and social effects and protection of human rights,” Sofia Wikman says.

Countries with public lack of confidence in the government should invest in efforts that persuade men

Countries with public lack of confidence in the government should invest in efforts that persuade men

The results reveal that there are significant differences between countries concerning perceived effectiveness, restrictiveness and compliance.

  • In countries where there is a public lack of confidence in the government, governments should increase their efforts to persuade their citizens, especially the men, that the measures are effective.
  • Financial compensation should be provided to citizens who have lost their job or income due to the measures implemented to improve measure compliance.
  • Use solely evidence-based information in public campaigns.
  • Refrain from implementing measures perceived as more restrictive for citizens’ human rights than effective and that lack objective evidence on their effectiveness in preventing the spread of the virus.

Scientific article

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Contact:

Sofia Wikman, reader in criminology at University of Gävle
Phone: 079-079 10 57
E-mail: Sofia.Wikman@hig.se

Text: Douglas Öhrbom
Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TT

Topics

  • Legal affairs

Categories

  • human rights
  • research
  • psychology
  • sofia wikman
  • university of gävle
  • lockdown
  • infection control measures
  • covid 19
  • pandemic management
  • virus spread
  • people's health

Education and Research at a Scenic Campus.
The University of Gävle has approximately 17 000 students, more than 50 study programmes and second-cycle programmes, about 1 000 courses in humanities, social and natural sciences and technology.

Research Profiles
Built Environment and Health-promoting Working Life are the general research profiles of the higher education institution. Important parts included are Spatial Planning with a specialisation in Sustainable Built Environment and Musculoskeletal Disorders with the purpose to prevent work-related injuries. In 2010, the higher education institution received permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in the profile area of Built Environment.
The higher education institution has applied for permission to carry out third-cycle programmes in technology, humanities and social sciences.