Going out or staying in? Life after COVID

16th June 2020 | Eativity editors

With the daily rate of new infections plummeting and restrictions lifting, life in Australia is (finally!) starting to return to normal. But we’re not out of the woods yet, and new research by Toluna and Harris Interactive has found that a lot of Australians are still feeling a tad nervous. Many are bracing for a second wave, and plan to go out less than they did pre-pandemic. In fact, 49% of Australians surveyed are more concerned about a second wave of COVID than an economic downturn.

Over the next one to two months, Australians plan to spend less time eating out (26%), going to bars (23%), going to movie cinemas (24%) and watching live sports matches (18%). One out of five (20%) say they’d prefer to hold off going out altogether until the COVID pandemic has passed or a vaccine has been found.

However, many would be more likely to visit venues that implement health precautions.

47% want venues to limit numbers through social distancing
48% would be more likely to visit venues that provided hand sanitiser and masks
43% would like venues to temperature-check patrons to allow entry
33% would like to see perspex screens between people, where possible

Australians will be more likely to patronise venues that enforce COVID safety measures
Having health precautions in place could help venues to attract more customers.

“It’s clear Australians have faith that social distancing measures have been successful in curbing COVID in the country, so entertainment and hospitality venues need to take this seriously,” says Stephen Walker, Business Director, Toluna, Australia & New Zealand. “Australians want to go out and support their local bars, clubs and restaurants, but they’re looking to venues to take the lead when it comes to health and safety precautions.”

If a second COVID wave were to hit, survey respondents say they’d be prepared to go into lockdown again, with 43% saying they could cope with a lockdown that lasted longer than 12 weeks. Fourteen percent could only cope with lockdowns of up to four weeks, 22% could manage another lockdown for five to eight weeks, with 12% okay to spend another nine to 12 weeks in isolation, should we be faced with a second wave.

Could you handle another lockdown?

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