The coronavirus has the Netherlands in its grips. To gain insight into how people view the imposed coronavirus measures in the Netherlands, their motivation in adhering to the measures, and what the impact is on their daily lives, RIVM and GGD GHOR (the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters) are conducting a large-scale study on this topic. The study explores human behaviour, what people think of the government’s behavioural measures, and how they are doing physically, mentally and socially in these corona times.
Results of fifth round
In line with the relaxed measures, study participants report more social contacts and an increase in social and mental well-being. In addition, people are playing sports and getting more exercise. These are positive developments. In round 5 of the study, however, we are also seeing that more people perceive COVID-19 as serious and consider a second wave to be likely or very likely. The survey results were collected from 8 -12 July, a week before the increase in infections.
People are largely continuing to comply with hygiene measures, such as washing hands. The rules regarding social life are not being followed quite as strictly. Fewer and fewer people are staying 1.5 metres apart in many places – at work, at home, in interaction with family, in cafés and restaurants – where new infections are now occurring more frequently. Fewer people are avoiding busy places. Meanwhile, many people who have symptoms that could indicate a COVID-19 infection are still going to work, visiting the supermarket, or going out to cafés and restaurants. And many people who have symptoms are still not getting tested, even though there has been an increase in the number of tests.
This was clear from the fifth round of the survey-based study conducted by RIVM, the Netherlands Municipal Public Health Services and Medical Assistance in Accidents and Disasters (GGD-GHOR) and the regional public health services (GGDs). These insights help the government to provide better support and information to citizens. The results shown are based on all participants in the fifth round from 8 to 12 July. Comparisons to the participants who participated in the previous rounds are also displayed.
Read more in the integrated summary of the research results from rounds 1 through 5.