Recent travellers returning to Canada might not be following the rules when it comes to self-isolation.

A study conducted by Innovative Research Group surveyed 2,000 Canadians to "understand public opinion as the COVID-19 situation evolves in Canada." 

It found that 7 per cent—about 140 people—among them recently returned from a trip. Of that 140, 75 per cent said that they'd been grocery shopping, 52 per cent said they'd met up with a friend outdoors and 36 per cent said that they'd had a gathering inside a home.

Canadians returning from abroad are not self-isolating. Our data shows that in households where someone recently came back to Canada, 75% went to the grocery store last week and 41% hosted guests in their home. #COVID19 #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/SAKvM0FQgc

— Innovative Research Group (@InnovativeRG) March 27, 2020

Despite this, 56 per cent of Canadians surveyed have reported changing their behaviour in an effort to help slow the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus.

This is scary. Cdns returning from outside Canada in the past 14 days don't appear to be following medical guidelines. The chart below shows their social activity over the past 7 days. Some of this activity may be from before their return, but much of it is likely here in Canada. https://t.co/e37L8d6ugs

— Greg Lyle (@LyleGreg) March 27, 2020

"A majority (56%) of Canadians report changing their behaviour a great deal in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is a 24 percentage point increase in one week," says the study.

"However, many Canadians are still getting together occasionally with friends and family."

"Young Canadians are still the most social, but large majorities of them report adopting safer habits like hand-washing and keeping distance."

The study also shows that overall, Canadians are washing their hands more frequently and trying to adhere to the two-metre physical distance rule set down by Canadian health officials.

Unfortunately, it's not just recent travellers that are gathering in groups, but 40 per cent of those surveyed saying that they'd gotten together with a friend, relative or in a group within the last week.

Some provinces like Ontario, where there was a big increase in cases over a single day, are taking social distancing measure seriously and  working to crack down on social gatherings of more than five people.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also made it clear that if you have recently travelled and returned to Canada, you must self-isolate for two weeks or else face a fine of up to $1 million and three years in prison under the new Quarantine Act.

Health officials will also be conducting random checks to see if recent travellers are following the rules and federal quarantine sites have been established to house recent travellers.