Gallup: Little change in social distancing as vaccines roll out

A new poll by Gallup shows that the number of Americans who say they’re abiding by social distancing rules has held steady as more people get the coronavirus vaccine.

The survey released Tuesday found that 47 percent of respondents say they are practicing strict social distancing and avoiding contact with those who do not live in their home, down only 3 percent from November and December before the vaccine rollout began.

Although only 9 percent of the U.S. population is vaccinated, 2 million coronavirus shots are being given out a day.

Along with strict social distancing, 70 percent of people say they are are avoiding large crowds, 56 percent are avoiding public places and 54 percent are avoiding small gatherings.

Other precautions such as face masks are being used by 89 percent of the public, but as a growing number of states drop their mask mandates, the number could drop.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that individuals who are vaccinated can gather together without masks and social distancing guidelines.

Americans have reportedly started to venture to businesses such as restaurants and gyms more frequently, but still below the levels seen before the November surge in coronavirus cases. 

The Gallup poll surveyed 3,795 US adults between Feb. 14 and Feb. 21. The margin of error is 2 percentage points.