This research explores ethnic differences in self-protective behaviours against COVID-19, and if identified, whether these differences are mediated by perceived risk towards COVID-19. I recruited 187 respondents to participate in an online survey about perceived risk and self-protective behaviours against COVID-19. Using a mixed-methods design, I observed people belonging to an ethnically diverse population engaged in hand-hygiene, avoided high-risk individuals, avoided large crowds or public spaces, and avoided eating at restaurants more frequently relative to less diverse “White” populations. The likelihood of an individual wearing a mask in public was similar between both groups. There was no evidence of mediation from perceptions of risk on behaviours. Systemic barriers that ethnically diverse communities typically encounter, such as low income and multi-family homes, may play a role in the engagement of self-protective behaviours. More research is warranted to identify social determinants of health and their role in the engagement of self-protective behaviours.
