The Big Hygiene Reset: New research reveals almost 1 in 2 people would leave a public venue if it did not appear to have good hygiene measures in place

SINGAPORE
– Media
OutReach – 8 October 2021 – Rentokil Initial has released a new global hygiene report, The Global Hygiene Reset, examining the
pandemic’s influence on people’s attitudes, behaviours and expectations about
hygiene. The world’s leading pest control and hygiene services provider
surveyed 20,000 people across 20 countries in EMEA, APAC and AMER to build a
global perspective.

Key findings

• 70% of people surveyed have
  higher hygiene expectations of themselves because of the COVID-19 pandemic
• 74% said that they are now more
  concerned that other people’s poor hand hygiene could put their health at risk
  than before the COVID-19 pandemic
• 74% responded that they are now
  more aware of germ hotspots than before the COVID-19 pandemic
• 71% agree that they are now
  more fearful of the spread of germs via the surfaces they touch than before the
  pandemic 
• 71% of respondents are
  concerned about whether a venue has adequate measures in place to stop the
  spread of germs

The Global Hygiene Reset
report provides
unique insights into how individuals have adapted their hygiene behaviours
because of the COVID-19 pandemic and sheds light on the multiple ways the
benchmark for “good hygiene” has shifted as a response. A renowned
psychologist, bestselling author and broadcaster, provides expert analysis in
the report.

Over the past 18 months, public health
advice has emphasised the importance of better hygiene practices involving
hand, surface and air hygiene. This has led to a greater awareness of hygiene,
how easily pathogens spread and the clear hygiene practices needed to help stop
the spread of COVID-19 and other common viruses, such as influenza and
norovirus.

• 72% of people surveyed are now
  more concerned about the spread of germs via the air they breathe indoors in a
  public venue than before the COVID-19 pandemic
• 74% of respondents say they
  would now like reassurance that the surfaces they are touching in a public
  venue are disinfected regularly

The survey reveals a new benchmark
in hygiene expectations and that many of the practices adopted by people to
keep themselves and others safe have become second nature and are likely to
remain.

The global
pattern shows that people wash their hands more now (66%) to protect themselves
from common viruses than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic and that they’re
likely to do this more in future (66%). This increased expectation of good hygiene practices will
continue to impact the way we live our lives and the way we work.

Businesses that
embrace this shift in the fundamental mindset and implement integrated hygiene
strategies – not only for hand hygiene but for surfaces and clean air as well –
will be better placed to protect the health and safety of staff and customers,
keeping them reassured and giving them the confidence to return to their
premises.