Half of Brits think 'Covid marshalls' are a good idea, according to a survey

Half of Brits asked in a survey said that employing Covid marshalls to check people are following guidelines would help in the fight against the pandemic.
Pontefract town centrePontefract town centre
Pontefract town centre

Researchers polled British adults and discovered 50 percent believe the Government’s plans to introduce Covid marshals was a largely positive move according to data by reseach firm Perspectus Global.

In comparison, 24 percent thought it was ill conceived, while a further 25 percent admitted they were undecided on the matter.

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According to the data, 38 percent thought marshals would help implement social distancing, while 36 percent thought they could play a part in stopping the spread of Covid.

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Wakefield city centre

However, 31 percent thought marshals will end up being vilified like traffic wardens, 29 percent insist the government has not been clear enough about where the funding for the new marshals will come from.

A further 28 percent suspect the marshals will not be given appropriate training.

Almost a quarter (22 percent) have concerns that those applying for the new roles will be motivated by the desire for power and authority over others.

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In fact, 18 percent of the 1,000 respondents surveyed by Perspectus Global, agreed that we as a nation should be wary about giving normal citizens power over others, as history has shown this can be a dangerous thing.

And 14 percent suspect that Covid marshals could use their new powers to take revenge on people in their local community.

When it comes to the new ‘rule of six’ restriction, almost three quarters (72 percent) of the adult population say it is easier to understand than previous guidelines.

However, more than half (57 percent) believe that it is unnecessary given the falling death rates linked to the virus.

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Yet the study found that seven in ten British adults will adhere to the rules, with less than one in 20 (four percent) claiming they will ignore them.

There are variations in compliance intention depending on the age of the respondents, however, with 73 percent of over 60s saying they will definitely comply, compared to 40 percent of 16 to 29-year olds.

While 6 percent of 16 to 29-year olds say they will outright ignore the new rule, compared to just 3 percent of over 60s.

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