Significant rise in ’high-risk’ behaviour during second lockdown

Despite near identical restrictions, 'high-risk behaviours' were significantly higher in the second Covid-19 lockdown than the first, finds a new UCL led study. The research, published in PNAS , found that during the second (November) lockdown people in the UK spent 35 minutes longer, on average, engaged in 'high risk' behaviours (where 'high risk' is identified as mixing with people outside the household, or doing work or leisure activities away from home), compared with the first (March to July). Researchers say this new evidence should inform UK Government and policy makers on the likely effectiveness of particular restrictions during any future Covid lockdown or pandemic. The main cause of this shift in behaviour was a greater amount of time spent doing paid work in the workplace, with an average of 33 minutes more time spent in the workplace than during the first lockdown. Lead author, Professor Oriel Sullivan (UCL Social Research Institute, Institute of Education) said: "Our research shows that there was an increase in high-risk behaviour during the November lockdown, compared to the first lockdown in March to July. "Interestingly, however, we do not find evidence that this is due to behavioural 'fatigue' with restrictions, as the data shows no more time being spent in out-of-home leisure or caring related activity. "Instead, the main driver of high-risk behaviour seems to have been a return to the workplace.