Determinants of adherence to COVID-19 physical distancing measures in the Republic of Ireland

Physical distancing measures (e.g., keeping two metres apart from others outside of one’s household, limiting one’s number of close contacts, avoiding social gatherings) are among the most effective strategies to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the community and healthcare settings. Emerging evidence gathered at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic suggested physical distancing behaviours were more challenging for the public to initiate and maintain relative to other infection mitigation behaviours such as handwashing. There is a complex range of psychological and social variables likely to account for varying levels of adherence to physical distancing measures.

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