More Canadians complain about others crowding closer than two metres

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Beatles told us to “Get Back.” The Police said “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”

It’s good advice as more Canadians are complaining about others invading the two-metres of physical distancing we are told to maintain to help keep COVID-19 in check.

With pandemic restrictions slowly easing, more people are getting out into public spaces and businesses. As that happens, a poll from Leger finds almost two-thirds of Canadians (63%) report someone outside their immediate family has gotten within two metres of them over the past week.

That is a significant jump from the steady 56 or 57 per cent who said it happened in the previous three weeks.

Physical distancing – along with proper hand-washing — is one of the basics of coronavirus control and was a measure Canadians were told to take early on in the pandemic.

While it seems more people are letting that precaution lapse, a majority of Canadians polled by Leger say they are comfortable patronizing businesses in their area as long as COVID-19 restrictions are in place, including physical distancing, limiting customers and disinfecting.

More than two-thirds say they would be okay going to restaurants (68%) and hotels (67%), and more than half (55%) are comfortable with gyms and other fitness facilities being open with restrictions.

However only about four-in-10 (44%) feel concert halls and theatres should reopen with restrictions in place. About half (49%) believe those venues should remain closed for the time being.

The Leger Poll was conducted between June 5 and June 7.