Lemme ask you something from a different perspective: what's your partner like?

Respect is very important, but it doesn't always mean respect, sometimes it means fear of conflict.

Is your partner the kind of person other people cross the street to avoid walking by? Did they notice social distancing, or was that par for their course? I ask this cause I'm one of those people.

People have respect for me whether I want them to or not, just because they are worried I might get pissed at them. Their fears are pretty well justified too.

There's nothing you can do about other people's reactions to your partner.

Your best bet at resolution is to have your partner reassure them everything is okay.

If your partner is unwilling to do that, then I think you have figured out why they have too much respect for them (your partner). It leaves you with another problem though.