Throughout the pandemic, behaviour change has been, and continues to be, central to an effective Covid-19 response. In order to limit infections, it has been necessary for people to limit their contacts with others and, when in contact, to observe safeguards including physical distancing, mask wearing, and ensuring meeting spaces are well ventilated. It has also been imperative that people take up the offer of vaccines. The behavioural dimension to pandemic control is not instead of pharmaceutical interventions. The two are interdependent.
This public inquiry submission focuses on three things that governments can do to promote the behaviours people need to undertake in order to protect themselves and others from Covid-19. The first is effective communication. People need to know what they need to do, how to do it, and why it is important. They need to be reminded about it, and it needs to become established as a normal part of their routine. In addition, misinformation and disinformation need to be effectively countered. The second is providing adequate financial, material and social support. People need to have the resources required to enact protective behaviours. The third is building cohesive communities to provide people with the resilience they need to deal with a crisis and to ensure that all sectors of society are covered.
You can access the full report here.
