TV news bulletins are the most common source of information that people use to find out what their local Covid-19 alert level is, above NHS apps and government websites, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The ONS report, published on Friday before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a month-long national lockdown for England, reveals that 57% of the public turn to TV news for this information, while only 36% check the NHS Covid-19 app for details of the coronavirus alert level in their area.
One in three (35%) opt to get this information from online and print media, according to the survey of 3,940 adults, which was conducted last week.
Barely one in five (22%) refer to a Government website for this information. And more people rely on radio or word of mouth (18%) than the Government’s postcode checker (15%).
A significant proportion of people – one in 20 – do not know what level of restrictions they are supposed to be living under.
And almost one in 10 (8%) admit they do not know what the rules are for their area when it comes to meeting up with others outside their household or support bubble.
Despite repeated Government messaging on social distancing and washing your hands, some seven per cent of those surveyed do not avoid physical contact with others when they leave their homes.
Barely two-thirds (69%) always wash their hands straight away after returning home from a public place.
One in 20 (5%) admit to having met in a group of more than six people indoors.
And less than two-thirds (62%) stick to social distancing when they meet up with people outside their support bubble.
The problems of persuading people to comply with the rules on social distancing come amid growing concern that a significant number of people are falling prey to misinformation about Covid-19.
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