Brits intend to continue wearing masks, ventilating homes and social distancing, survey finds

Britons fully intend to continue wearing masks, opening windows when people visit and keeping their distance in the pub in a bid to breathe clean air, a survey suggests.

Detailed research of 2,000 adults revealed insight into attitudes and fears around getting back to normal in the months post-pandemic.

As many as 50 per cent will continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future even though the government has said they are no longer compulsory.

A further 36 per cent will insist on sitting away from anyone they don’t know in pubs and restaurants, while 28 per cent will still ask for a table outside and 24 per cent will insist on table service.

More than a third will open windows when others come round and 28 per cent of workers will insist the same is done at work.

And 52 per cent of those polled intend to maintain social distancing with those they don’t live with.

It also emerged 57 per cent think the impact of Covid-19 has changed their views towards air quality in general forever.

As a result, 40 per cent are concerned about the relaxation of social distancing when workers return to offices and other places of business.

And three in 10 admit they don’t completely trust the ventilation at their workplace.

The research was commissioned by air conditioning experts Andrews Sykes, whose spokesperson said: “Prior to this pandemic, the main reason people had to worry about air quality was largely limited to pollution from cars.

“Nobody enjoyed walking alongside a busy road with large vehicles hurtling past, spouting out fumes.

“However, now the problem has really been brought closer to home - literally - by Covid-19, with awareness around clean air a huge issue for millions.

“As the nation starts to return to their offices or other places of business, clean air is going to be a really big priority.”

The study also found four in 10 Brits think air quality is now more important to them than ever, and the same number plan to make more effort to get ‘fresh air’ than they did before.

Another 45 per cent will be ‘less tolerant’ of atmospheres that feel stuffy and old, in the months going forward.

At work, 34 per cent are now worried about the amount of people who will be sharing a relatively small space.

A third are concerned about a lack of windows where they spend their working day, and 35 per cent have no air conditioning system to sweep away stale air.

It also found 52 per cent admit they have no idea how an air purifier actually works - but would feel much happier if one was installed at their work.

Andrews Sykes’ spokesperson added: “Air purifiers are kind of like big sieves for air, they catch it as it goes through, and filter out nasty particles.

“Allergens could include smoke, pollen, pet hair - and of course, bacteria and viruses, which is how Covid-19 and other illnesses spread.

“It’s extremely sensible to have concerns about air quality in your workplace, so we’d advise speaking to building managers about how they intend to maintain air quality in the future.”