Poll: Most Americans Want Mandatory Quarantines Before Reopening

A majority of Americans say the government should impose mandatory quarantines for people who test positive for COVID-19, according to a new poll.

A Gallup poll released Monday shows that a majority of Americans want to see mandatory quarantines, improved medical treatments and a significant reduction in new cases or deaths before they return to normal activities.

The survey polled 4,553 Americans from April 27-May 3. Results indicate: 

• 80% of Americans surveyed say mandatory quarantine for positive COVID-19 tests are very important with 14% saying the quarantines are somewhat important. 
• 77% of Americans say it is very important to see improved virus treatments before resuming normal activities. 
• 73% of Americans say it is very important to see a significant reduction in positive cases and deaths before going back to normal activities. 
• 68% of Americans say it is very important to have a vaccine before returning to activities. 

The results show that more than two-thirds of Americans believe it is "very important" for four conditions to be met for them to feel comfortable to return to normal outings.

Smaller majorities say widespread testing, hospital capacity and requirements that people practice social distancing would be “very important” factors in their willingness to resume normal activities.

The poll has a margin of sampling error of 3%. 

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