MOSCOW, 21 January 2022. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings on how Russians perceive the coronavirus and the related restrictions.
More than half of Russians are somewhat afraid that they can get sick with the coronavirus (62%). This share increased by 7 p.p. between January 16th and 19th, 2022 (55% on Jan.16 vs 62% on Jan.19).
Forty-four percent of Russians are confident that the measures to contain COVID-19 are sufficient; 34% consider them insufficient; 16% call them excessive. Between January 14th and 19th the percentage of those who consider the measures to be insufficient increased (+5 p.p.; 29% on Jan.14 vs 34% on Jan.19).
More than half of Russians say the restrictions are an appropriate response to the current situation (59%); a third of respondents say the restrictions are likely to be inappropriate (36%). Of those who are afraid of getting sick with COVID-19, 66% consider the measures appropriate; 30%, inappropriate.
Russians believe that the restrictions are effective in containing the COVID-19 (62%); 34% oppose them.
According to 42% of respondents, the anti-COVID measures are not affecting their lives and plans; 18% report the opposite.
QR codes pose problems to one in five respondents (21%); face masks, gloves and social distancing are annoying to 19% of Russians; mandatory vaccination irritates 10%. Russians also view negatively borders closure (8%), ban on visiting public places (7%), and restrictions on free travel (3%).
Russian nationwide surveys were conducted January 14, 16, 19, 2022. A total of 1,600 of Russians aged 18 and older took part in the survey. Results are based on telephone interviews. Stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers was used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes to the wording of questions and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Are you afraid that you or your relatives can get sick with the coronavirus? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||
| January 16
| January 19
|
Afraid a lot | 9 | 10 |
Somewhat afraid | 46 | 52 |
I am confident nothing will happen to me or my family | 18 | 17 |
I have not thought about it | 9 | 9 |
I have been sick / My relatives have been sick | 16 | 11 |
Don’t know | 2 | 1 |
In your opinion, is the Russian government taking sufficient/insufficient steps to prevent the coronavirus spread in Russia? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents ) | ||
| January 14
| January 19
|
Sufficient measures | 50 | 44 |
Insufficient measures | 29 | 34 |
Excessive measures | 15 | 16 |
Don’t know /I know nothing about the measures taken | 6 | 6 |
To prevent the COVID-19 spread, certain restrictions have been introduced in Russia. In your opinion, are these measures an appropriate response to the current situation in Russia or not? ( closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Those who are afraid of getting sick | Those who are confident nothing will happen to them or family
| Those who have not thought about it
|
Likely appropriate | 59 | 66 | 47 | 42 |
Likely inappropriate | 36 | 30 | 50 | 51 |
Don’t know | 5 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
Some people think the safety measures to contain COVID-19 in Russia are effective. Others say they are half effective as they have a relatively small impact on the coronavirus spread. Still others believe that the restrictions are ineffective. And what is your opinion? ( closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
| Total respondents | Those who are afraid of getting sick | Those who are confident nothing will happen to them or family
| Those who have not thought about it
|
The measures are effective | 23 | 24 | 22 | 27 |
The measures are likely to be effective | 39 | 43 | 33 | 23 |
The measures are ineffective | 34 | 30 | 44 | 43 |
Don’t know | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Are the restrictions against COVID-19 affecting your life and plans, or not? If yes, how much? (% of respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
No impact | 42 |
The impact is not considerable | 39 |
The impact is considerable | 18 |
Don’t know | 1 |
What COVID-related restrictions cause you troubles and irritate you the most? ( open-ended question, not more than 5 answers, % of respondents) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Aged 18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and older |
QR codes / presenting QR codes / checking QR codes | 21 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 20 | 8 |
Face mask wearing / wearing masks and gloves/ social distance | 19 | 20 | 24 | 25 | 21 | 10 |
Mandatory vaccination | 10 | 7 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 3 |
Border closure / restrictive travel between regions / no opportunity to travel abroad | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
Ban on visiting public places / you cannot access certain places | 7 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
Restrictions on free travel/ strengthening measures (no details) | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Distant learning / remote work | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
Impossible to make an appointment with the doctor / suspended regular health checks | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Formal character of the restrictions / lack of strict control | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
Having to pass PCR tests / having to pay for tests | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Cancelation of gatherings / ban on attending gatherings | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Other | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
None / no irritation / everything is fine | 11 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 17 |
Don’t know | 31 | 24 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 44 |