Finding the Balance: Public Health and Social Measures in South Africa

What is the purpose of this report?
This report describes findings from a telephone survey with 1,639 people conducted in February 2021. The survey examined how people respond to public health and social measures (PHSMs) to prevent COVID-19. The sample is representative of households with access to a landline or cell phone, but does not include people without access to phones. As phone penetration varies by country, findings should be interpreted with caution.
Survey data are analysed alongside epidemiological, mobility, and media data.
Triangulating these data sources offers valuable context to better understand the acceptability, impact and effectiveness of PHSMs.
This is the third survey and analysis conducted since the pandemic began (see the first and second reports).