Abstract
Background: The objectives of this study were to investigate risk perceptions and travel intention among the general public in Taiwan during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data. The questionnaire was disseminated via the social media platform (LINE and Facebook) to the general public.Results: A total of 3,237 complete responses were received, of whom 5.8% (95% CI 5.1–6.7) of the participants reported intent to travel to overseas countries with an apparent community spread and 5.5% (95% CI 4.7–6.3) reported intent to travel to other overseas countries in the next 1 month. A relatively higher proportion (46.5%; 95% CI 44.7–48.2) reported intention for domestic travelling. Participants who viewed travelling to only be risky for older adults or those with medical conditions (OR = 2.19; 95% CI 1.38–3.47) and who perceived that one will not get infected if one takes recommended precautionary measures (OR = 3.12; 95% CI 1.85–5.27) reported higher travelling intention to overseas countries with an apparent community spread.Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that risk perceptions were depicted as a strong influence of travel intentions.
Highlights
The objectives of this study were to investigate risk perceptions and travel intention among the general public in Taiwan during the COVID-19 outbreak
An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in early December 2019, has spread throughout mainland China, and has swept into at least 122 countries, with over 140,000 confirmed cases and killed over 5,000 people worldwide as of March 14, 2020 [1]
189 (5.8%; 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 5.1–6.7) participants reported intent to travel to overseas regions/countries with an apparent community spread and 178 (5.5%; 95% CI 4.7–6.3) reported intent to travel to other overseas countries in the month
Summary
The objectives of this study were to investigate risk perceptions and travel intention among the general public in Taiwan during the COVID-19 outbreak. An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) which began in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in early December 2019, has spread throughout mainland China, and has swept into at least 122 countries, with over 140,000 confirmed cases and killed over 5,000 people worldwide as of March 14, 2020 [1]. In a meeting on January 30, 2020, the outbreak was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) a Taiwanese Intentions on Travel Plans. The first case of COVID-19 in Taiwan was reported on 21 January 2020. On 16 February, the first coronavirus death was reported in Taiwan, and the total number of confirmed cases was 20. Taiwan has been listed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the regions with an apparent community spread [4]
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