Coronavirus lockdown leads to ‘surge in neighbourliness’ across NI

Government measures to stay at home have led to a surge in neighbourliness as people look out for the vulnerable and talk to those next door more than ever before, according to a new online study released today by Co-op Insurance.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 21st Apr 2020, 17:53 BST
Updated 21st Apr 2020, 17:56 BST
An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of a Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures.An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of a Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures.
An Emergency Department Nurse during a demonstration of a Coronavirus pod and COVID-19 virus testing procedures.

The research found that nearly two thirds (73%) of people in Northern Ireland know if their neighbours are classed as high risk or not.

It also found that a fifth (21%) of home owners across Northern Ireland who know their neighbours have checked in on them in the last few weeks and that almost a fifth (17%) of Northern Irish adults who know their neighbours have spoken to them more in the last few weeks than they did previously.

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Despite not being able to spend time physically with neighbours, over a fifth (21%) of Northern Irish home owners and renters who know their neighbours say their relationship has become better in the last few weeks.

Highlighting the lengths people in Northern Ireland are going to in order to stay in touch, over two-fifths (44%) of people who know their neighbours have spoken to them over a fence or a wall.

Andrew Nevitt, head of products at Co-op Insurance, said: “It’s heartening to hear that so many people are looking out for one another during this time of crisis.”

Related topics:Government