Some Canadians still think it’s OK to gather in groups despite warnings from health officials to stay home to stop the spread of the coronavirus, suggests a new poll.

The Research Co. survey, conducted on Thursday and Friday and released Saturday, found than while most Canadians agree they must do their part to stop the COVID-19 outbreak, 30 per cent still think it’s “reasonable” to hold a gathering of up to 10 people.

Seventy-two per cent of Canadians think the worst of the outbreak is “definitely” or “probably” ahead of us.

Albertans (82 per cent), Atlantic Canadians (81 per cent) and residents aged 55 and over (76 per cent) are more likely to believe that the situation will worsen, according to Research Co.

Health authorities have asked people to engage in social distancing, including working from home instead of at the office and avoiding in-person visits to loved ones.

The poll found 22 per cent believe visiting elderly relatives, such as parents or grandparents, is “reasonable” at this time, while 30 per cent think it is “reasonable” to hold a gathering of up to 10 people.

President of Research Co. Mario Canseco says health officials say having people over for coffee is not social distancing, yet 41 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 34 think this behaviour is OK.

The poll found 15 per cent think it’s still fine to eat in restaurants, while 13 per cent are OK with socializing in groups of more than 10 people., or going to gyms or exercise classes.

Overall, 82 per cent of Canadians refer to the COVID-19 outbreak as a “major crisis” while 13 per cent call it a “minor crisis.” Three per cent say it’s not a crisis at all.

The survey of 1,000 Canadian adults carries a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

ticrawford@postmedia.com