by Jim Byers
Last updated: 6:09 PM ET, Mon May 10, 2021
Canadians are among the most anxious people in the world when it comes to taking a vacation right now. We also strongly endorse closed borders and the idea of vaccine passports for international visitors.
An April study by Ipsos found that 82% of Canadians perceive either a large or moderate risk by taking a vacation. Fifty four per cent said a holiday would present a large risk, while 28% said it's a moderate risk.
That's the second highest rate for any country in the world. The only country that registered a higher number was Mexico, where 87% of those surveyed said taking a vacation is risky.
In the U.., only 59% of respondents said taking a vacation is risky right now, with 24% identifying it as a large risk and 35% as a moderate risk.
The study also found that Canadians support border closures more than residents of any other country. A full 86% of Canadians said they strongly or somewhat support closing the border to anyone from another country, while 76% said they support the idea of closing the border to anyone from another province, state or region.
For the U.S. those numbers were 59% and 41%.
Ipsos also asked residents of various countries about their willingness to get vaccinated. In Canada, 78% of respondents said they strongly agree with the idea (53%) or somewhat agree (25%). Twelve per cent of Canadians said they somewhat disagree with the idea, while 10% said they strongly disagree.
The numbers were almost identical for the UK. In the U.S., however, only 23% of respondents said they strongly agree with the idea of an inoculation, while another 23% said they somewhat agree. Nineteen per cent said they somewhat disagree, while a whopping 35% said they strongly disagree.
The polling company also asked respondents whether all travellers entering their country should be required to have a vaccine passport or similar health data certificates. Around the world, the average was 78% in the "yes" column, with 52% in strong agreement and 26% saying they somewhat agree. For Canada, 56% said they strongly agree and 21% said they somewhat agree.
Asked whether large public venues such as stadiums or concert halls should require a vaccine passport, 68% of folks around the world said they agreed (38% strongly agreed and 30% said they somewhat agreed). For Canada, 35% said they strongly agree and 30% said they somewhat agree.
Asked about the risk of dining in at a restaurant, 30% of Canadians said it's a large risk, while 37% said it's moderately risky. For the U.S., only 17% said it's a large risk, while 37% said it's a moderate risk.
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