Almost one in four people in Germany believe they are at high risk of infection. This figure had dropped between April and June, but has risen by three percentage points since June and was evident in all the countries surveyed. In France and Portugal, the figures for September were significantly higher than those in April.
Yet despite these growing concerns, a decreasing number of people are adhering to rules on social distancing and hygiene. "The rising numbers of infections are frightening the population, but at the same time there is evidence of a certain fatigue in adhering to the rules," said Prof. Dr. Jonas Schreyögg, Director of HCHE. Only 45 per cent of people in Germany said that they observe social distancing rules. Only 39 per cent adhere to the recommended hand hygiene. Only 58 per cent avoid greeting each other with hugs, kisses and handshakes compared to 77 per cent in April.