COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, May Wave 4

4-8 May, Wave 4

COVID19 Community Tracking Singapore How Are Singaporeans Responding to the Crisis?

Updated 14 May 2020

About The Tracking The data included in this tracking report comes from nine surveys conducted since Jan 2020.

Below is a list of the surveys, field dates and respective sample sizes.

Survey Name

2

Data collected

Sample size

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jan-20

13-20 Jan

n=1,000

YouKnowANot (YKA) Feb-20

10-14 Feb

n=1,000

COVID-19 Asia

14-17 Feb

n=300

Budget 2020

19-20 Feb

n=750

YouKnowANot (YKA) Mar-20

9-19 Mar

n=1,000

Resilience Budget

27-29 Mar

n=779

World in Crisis (SG included in 23 country study)

6-7 Apr

n=300

Solidarity Budget

7-8 Apr

n=775

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 1

13-16 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 2

20-27 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Apr-20 Wave 3

28-30 Apr

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 4

4-8 May

n=500

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Blackbox will be updating the tracking on a weekly basis until the Circuit Breaker is lifted.

Fieldwork will be conducted on Monday-Tuesday every week.

Sampling Information This surveys included in this tracking report were all conducted online, using a geographically stratified sample to ensure representative demographic coverage of the population.

Our methodology also applies quota controls and is representative of the permanent adult Singapore population (citizen/PR), based on age, gender, ethnicity, housing type and region.

Blackbox has been conducting monthly studies of adult Singaporeans since 2015 using the same sampling methodology which is regularly adjusted to accounted for demographic changes in the population.

3

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

About Blackbox Research Blackbox Research is Singapore’s leading homegrown and fully independent social research agency. We specialise in data content and provide research and affiliated dataplus communications services for business, governments and non-governmental organisation clients across Asia.

In Singapore, Blackbox Research is recognised as the ‘go-to’ agency for community and policy insights, and enjoys a strong reputation as a reliable provider of insights on current issues and topics impacting societies across Southeast Asia. Visit www.blackbox.com.sg for further information.

If you wish to access more detailed information contained in this report or would like to add questions to our weekly studies, please contact chris@blackbox.com.sg

4

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Key Tracking Data

5

Major Takeaways – Tracking First Week of May

6

•

Now more than a month into the circuit breaker, community attitudes have generally stabilised in Singapore despite continued rise in infections amongst foreign workforce

•

Singaporeans more inclined to dig in now as evidenced by continued rise in those saying they are feeling determined

•

More and more continue to entertain themselves with TV and movies while more people are now exercising. This maybe because they are eating more – home delivery now at a record high

•

More than 6 in 10 now saying they are working less hours indicating both the impact of job losses and decreasing work activity as the CB continues

•

Government performance metrics remain very steady. No real traction across any major metric.

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: No significant change

YKA Jan-20 13-20 Jan

75%

25%

YKA Feb-20 10-14 Feb

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Mar-20 9-19 Mar

79%

80%

79%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

85%

83%

80%

76%

15%

17%

20%

24%

Right Track

7

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

Wrong Track

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore gs1. Generally speaking, do you feel that things in Singapore are heading in the right direction or would you say things are seriously heading in the wrong direction?

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

82%

80%

18%

20%

Economic Sentiment Comment: Relatively consistent since mid April.

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

23%

26% 29%

45%

18%

17%

18%

19%

64%

64%

Better

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

19%

21%

23%

25%

27%

22%

25%

52%

54%

56%

52%

Same

Worse

(Demographic breaks available on request) 8

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore gs2. Economically, do you expect 2020 is going to be better or worse for you personally, or about the same as 2019

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Uncertainty falling but anger/frustration holding steady. Fear inching up again.

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

48%

46%

49%

44%

48%

47%

47%

50%

50%

3. Anxious

51%

41%

38%

39%

41%

4. Scared

47%

37%

27%

30%

32%

5. Sad

43%

28%

28%

29%

29%

6. Confused

21%

18%

18%

17%

20%

1. Uncertain 2.Frustrated/Angry

9

58%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro1 Which of the following would you use to describe your own current mood as we progress through the current coronavirus crisis?

Average

49% 48% 42% 35% 31% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: Those feeling determined almost doubled in month

6.Charitable /caring 7 Determined 8. Neighbourly 9. Different 10. Happy 11. Indifferent

10

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

Average

16%

15%

14%

12%

16%

15%

11%

14%

12%

14%

19%

14%

11%

8%

8%

8%

11%

9%

10%

7%

9%

10%

10%

8%

9%

7%

6%

5%

6%

8%

7%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro1 Which of the following would you use to describe your own current mood as we progress through the current coronavirus crisis?

9%

10%

8%

10%

7%

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: The sense that life has changed considerably dipped again

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

26%

32%

39%

35%

41%

36%

52%

52%

46%

49%

43%

47%

18%

14%

15%

14%

16%

4%

2%

13% 2%

1%

2%

1%

Complete change

11

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro2 How much has the coronavirus impacted your day to day life in recent weeks?

Considerable change

Small change

No change

Day to Day Life Changes: On a Personal Level Comment: TV and movie consumption continues to grow as CB life becomes the norm.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

1

2

I’ve stopped going out socially and only go out for essential purposes

52%

I’ve been watching more movies/TV

37%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

I’ve stopped all outdoor activities (exercise, eating out, etc.)

4

I’ve bought additional food and daily essentials in case the coronavirus situation worsens

5

I’m feeling a higher level of boredom than usual

60%

6

I’m feeling a higher level of anxiety than usual

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 Average 4-8 May

60%

57%

58%

44% 48%

46%

43% 37%

37%

30%

37%

32%

49% 40%

38%

30%

29%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

56%

42% 3

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

42%

46%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro3 Which of the following have you personally experienced during the current coronavirus crisis?

44%

40%

36%

33%

32%

32%

35%

36%

35%

37%

36%

34%

31%

33%

31%

33%

36%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 12

57%

Day to Day Life Changes: On a Personal Level Comment: Key trends – delivery service continues to rise along with exercise. HH relationships steadily improving.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

7

I’ve stopped taking public transport

17%

8

I’ve started to use delivery services for my meals or groceries more often

22%

9

I’ve been trying to eat better

10

I’ve been exercising/working out more

11

Relationships with those who live in my household have strengthened

12

Relationships with those who live in my household have frayed under the strain e.g. more arguing etc

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 Average 4-8 May

22% 30%

35%

29%

24%

22% 28% 21%

35%

21%

27% 19%

34%

23% 27%

26% 20%

18%

21%

18%

23%

28%

18%

21%

18%

19%

23%

25%

12%

10%

14%

12%

11%

9%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro3 Which of the following have you personally experienced during the current coronavirus crisis?

26%

23%

21%

21%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 13

28%

11%

Day to Day Life Changes: In Terms of Work Comment: Work and study from home numbers dipped. Those experiencing wage deductions has stabilized.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

1 2

Ranked 3 in W3

I now work/study at home every weekday I’ve had my wages reduced

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

29%

30%

29%

14%

16%

16%

15%

17%

17%

19%

16%

16%

4

I’ve had to look out for odd jobs or part-time assignments to help with my income

15%

5

I’ve started looking at taking on courses to improve my work skills

15%

6

I now work/study at home some days

7

I’ve lost my job

3 Ranked 2 in W3

I’ve had my working hours reduced

22% 18%

19% 14%

14%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

36%

19% 17%

17%

YKA May-20, W4 Average 4-8 May

27%

19% 17%

18%

16% 20%

15%

15%

14%

14%

7%

8%

7%

8%

18% 12% 6%

14%

9%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 14

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro3 Which of the following have you personally experienced during the current coronavirus crisis?

28%

18%

18%

17%

16%

14%

7%

Day to Day Life Changes: Encounters with COVID-19 Comment: No changes in the wider community.

Rank

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 27-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 Average 4-8 May

1

I’ve had to go through a period of selfisolation/quarantine

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

8%

9%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

5%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

15

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro3 Which of the following have you personally experienced during the current coronavirus crisis?

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Growing sense now that numbers will stabilize but not are not going to go down.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

42%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

35%

38%

34%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

17%

14%

34%

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

8%

9%

2%

3%

4% 2%

8% 3%

21% 6%

Increase a lot

16

Increase a little

Stabilize

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro4 In your opinion, over the next two weeks do you think the daily number of new coronavirus cases in Singapore will:

Decrease a little

Decrease a lot

20% 5%

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Around a third now think they will be infected - up from previous week.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

32%

25%

1%

1%

11%

36%

34%

22%

33%

22%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Quite likely

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

I’ve contracted the virus already

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro5 How likely do you think it is that you will catch the coronavirus in the next six months?

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May 1%

1%

10%

52%

Very likely

17

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

32%

9% 15%

11%

25%

48%

53%

20%

22%

Not very likely

20%

Not likely at all

32%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: Singaporeans now into the CB groove.

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

19%

20%

17%

19%

62%

17% 3%

81%

80%

60%

17%

18% 2%

Quite well

Not very well

23% 77%

84%

58%

61%

18%

12%

5%

4%

4%

Very well

18

61%

78%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

Not well at all

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro6 The Government has now imposed what it calls circuit breaker measures. This means strict restrictions until May 4. Generally, how well are you coping during the circuit breaker (lockdown) period?

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: People still coping with most things.

Rank

1 2

Ranked 3 in W3

3 Ranked 2 in W3

4 Ranked 5 in W3

5

Ranked 4 in W3

Measures imposed during CB % who rated very well/quite well (top 2 box)

Most bank branches will be shut but you can still withdraw money from ATMs Government recommends everyone stays at home except when you need to go out and shop or buy medical supplies Public swimming pools and community recreational facilities will be closed Outdoor exercise allowed but only at a safe distance from others Singaporeans will not be allowed to have staycations at hotels

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

85%

85%

83%

81%

84%

83%

84%

83%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

81%

79% 84%

83%

78%

80%

80%

81%

80%

80%

75%

78%

82%

79%

79%

78%

78%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

19

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro07 Here is a list of measures that have been imposed during the circuit breaker (lockdown) period. Please indicate how well are you coping with each.

Average

83%

81%

81%

80%

79%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: People still coping with most things.

Rank

Measures imposed during CB % who rated very well/quite well (top 2 box)

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

6

All condo swimming pools and gym facilities will be closed

80%

78%

78%

76%

78%

7

Work from home for all employees except those working in essential services

79%

78%

75%

79%

79%

8

Pre-schools will be closed but alternative care arrangements will be available

82%

78%

74%

76%

77%

9

All places of worship like churches and mosques will be closed

80%

78%

78%

74%

77%

10

All schools will be shut and kids will have to do home-based learning

80%

77%

76%

75%

78%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

20

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro07 Here is a list of measures that have been imposed during the circuit breaker (lockdown) period. Please indicate how well are you coping with each.

Average

78%

78%

78%

78%

77%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: People still coping with most things.

Rank

11

12

Measures imposed during CB % who rated very well/quite well (top 2 box)

No tuition or enrichment classes for kids No social gatherings of any size

13

Not able to visit your place of work/employment

14

No dining out at F&B/restaurant outlets

15

Limit social contact to immediate family members

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

81%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

74%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

75%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

74%

77%

71% 76%

76%

70%

77%

75%

74%

75%

74%

73%

75%

72%

69%

71%

71%

69%

73%

69%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro07 Here is a list of measures that have been imposed during the circuit breaker (lockdown) period. Please indicate how well are you coping with each.

76%

75%

74%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

21

Average

74%

72%

71%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: 6/10 now working less hours. Growing group of people whose income is rising. Employers passing on wage support. % Respondents who answered “Yes”

Working more hours during the current crisis

32%

30%

28%

29%

58%

55%

62%

19%

14%

21%

55%

55%

56%

52%

47%

48%

25%

Earning more during the current crisis

10%

Earning less during the current crisis Getting financial support from the government during the crisis

22

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

Working less hours during the current crisis

31%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

77%

Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis

21%

25%

28%

32%

Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

24%

26%

23%

29%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

Average

30% 50% 16% 49% 56% 26% 28%

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Top box consistency for Govt but not growing. Keeping panic levels low is improving.

Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 YKA Apr-20, W2 YKA Apr-20, W3 13-16 Apr 20-27 Apr 28-30 Apr

24%

30%

27%

33%

31%

22%

26%

28%

20%

26%

26%

29%

Efforts to reduce public panic

23%

29%

Efforts to reduce the spread of fake news and misinformation about the virus

24%

27%

23%

30%

25%

26%

21%

23%

17%

24%

23%

23%

15%

24%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country Advising employers on how to minimize workplace health risks during the current outbreak

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus

Putting in place action plans to reduce the risk of the virus spreading

23

COVID-19 Asia 14-17 Feb

34%

38%

26%

19%

24%

19%

25%

17%

24%

23%

20%

27%

27%

26%

26%

20%

25%

29%

23%

28%

27%

19%

25%

26%

13%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro08 When it comes to the coronavirus, how good a job is the Government doing in each of the following areas:

28%

24%

26%

Average

31% 25% 24% 24% 24% 23% 23%

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