Activities carried out despite lockdown restrictions in the UK as of May 2020

Published by
Conor Stewart,
May 5, 2020
In May 2020, a survey carried out in the United Kingdom found that five percent of Brits had been frequently visiting friends they don't live with during the coronavirus lockdown period, while five percent also say they have been regularly visiting family during this period. The government recommends that during the lockdown period people should only go outside for one form of exercise a day, but eight percent of survey respondents said they periodically go out for more than once for exercise.

The latest number of cases in the UK can be found here. For further information about the coronavirus pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Frequency of the following activities people have carried out in the past five weeks despite the lockdown rules in the United Kingdom (UK) as of May 2020

CharacteristicI have done this frequentlyI have done this a couple of timesI have done this once
Visited friends I do not live with in their home 5% 4% 3%
Visited family I do not live with in their home 5% 7% 3%
Had friends or family over to my home 3% 5% 4%
Met up with friends or family to go for a walk 4% 7% 3%
Sunbathed in a park/greenspace 4% 4% 3%
Had a picnic in a park/green space 3% 4% 2%
Gone out more than once a day for exercise 8% 9% 4%
Travelled abroad 3% 4% 2%
Touched someone else’s pet 5% 9% 5%
Used the NHS shopping hour despite not working for the NHS 4% 3% 1%
Used shopping for essentials as a cover for being outside generally 5% 8% 3%
Gone shopping for non-essentials only 6% 11% 6%
Bulk bought food for stockpiling 4% 9% 6%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (21 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents5%5%5%5%3%3%4%4%4%4%3%3%8%8%3%3%5%5%4%4%5%5%6%6%4%4%3%3%5%5%4%4%4%4%5%5%4%4%3%3%10%10%4%4%7%7%5%5%7%7%4%4%4%4%9%9%4%4%9%9%3%3%8%8%11%11%9%9%4%4%6%6%3%3%6%6%7%7%3%3%4%4%11%11%3%3%3%3%4%4%3%3%3%3%2%2%4%4%2%2%5%5%1%1%3%3%6%6%6%6%1%1%3%3%1%1%4%4%3%3%2%2%2%2%5%5%I have done this frequentlyI have done this a couple of timesI have done this onceVisited friends I do not live with in their homeVisited family I do not live with in their homeHad friends or family over to my homeMet up with friends or family to go for a walkSunbathed in a park/greenspaceHad a picnic in a park/green spaceGone out more than once a day for exerciseTravelled abroadTouched someone else’s petUsed the NHS shopping hour despite not working for the NHSUsed shopping for essentials as a cover for being outside generallyGone shopping for non-essentials onlyBulk bought food for stockpilingMet up with someone for drinks/ a picnic in a park or green spaceDriven somewhere to go for some exercise (e.g. a park or a forest)Pretended to exercise outside (e.g. taking a yoga mat to a park but notactually exercising)Going for a drive for a non-essential reason (e.g. leisure)Not paid attention to the 2 metre rule in publicSat at a local beer garden even though the pub is closedUsed shopping for others as an excuse to visit friends or familyGone outside for exercise for more than one hour
0%10%20%30%2.5%5%7.5%12.5%15%17.5%22.5%25%27.5%

© Statista 2025
Download
Show detailed source information?
Register for free
Already a member?
Log in
Source

Use Ask Statista Research Service

Release date

April 2020

Region

United Kingdom

Survey time period

April 29 to May 1

Number of respondents

2,000 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

Citation formats
Access all statistics starting from $2,388 USD yearly *

* For commercial use only

Basic Account

For single users
$0 USD
Always free
Register now
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
  • Free Statistics
Based on your interests

Starter Account

For single users
$199 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free Statistics
  • Premium Statistics

Professional Account

For teams of up to 5 people
$1,299 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free + Premium Statistics
  • Reports
  • Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts

Statistics on " Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom (UK) "

Other statistics that may interest you Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United Kingdom (UK)

Overview

8

UK situation

8

Vaccination

8

Health infrastructure

6

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the first wave

5

Impact of the outbreak

6

Public opinion

8

Further related statistics

10

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

Statistics

All features, all contents, at all times: Learn more about our professional solutions.

* For commercial use only

Basic Account

For single users
$0 USD
Always free
Register now
Access limited to Free Statistics. Premium Statistics are not included.
  • Free Statistics
Based on your interests

Starter Account

For single users
$199 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free Statistics
  • Premium Statistics

Professional Account

For teams of up to 5 people
$1,299 USD
per month, billed annually 1
Buy now
  • Free + Premium Statistics
  • Reports
  • Market Insights

1 All prices do not include sales tax. The account requires an annual contract and will renew after one year to the regular list price.

Compare accounts
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.