More than half (53%) of Britons believe UK businesses could be doing more to improve the hygiene of their premises and keep people safe from COVID-19, according to a new survey.
Commissioned by hygiene and pest control technology company Pelsis Group, the survey of 2,007 people across the UK quantifies how the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the nation’s attitude towards hygiene.
The survey found that 88% of people want to see UK businesses and organisations implementing stringent hygiene regimes on their premises, with 87% saying the hygiene of places they visit is now more important to them than before the pandemic.
The survey also revealed that more than half of the UK (55%) does not believe that hospitality venues will be safe and hygienic when they reopen and that 58% of people do not believe schools are COVID-safe environments.
When it comes to public transport, the situation is of even greater concern to the UK public as 76% of people do not believe it is a safe and hygienic way to travel. More than a quarter of over 55s (28%) said they were unwilling to use public transport at all due to concerns over COVID-19, with a further 23% admitting they would only use it as a last resort.
Pelsis Group Chief Executive, Andrew Milner, said: “Businesses and organisations must build trust with the public and give them confidence to return to their premises. If they fail to do so, then the economic ramifications could be profound. Sectors that have been really badly hit by the pandemic, such as hospitality and transport, will find it incredibly difficult to recover if they can’t convince people they are running hygiene-secure settings that are safe to be in.”
Despite concerns over the hygiene and safety of premises, almost three quarters of people (74%) said being able to check the hygiene protocols of premises online and actively see cleaning procedures taking place would make them more likely to visit them.
