COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 3

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

Updated 08 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

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.

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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

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COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Key Tracking Data

5

Major Takeaways – W/b 08 May

6

•

Some stabilisation after last week’s dips but more and more people continue to worry about their economic futures and think they are going to be worse off this year

•

Impact of Government support from the three Budgets beginning to lessen considerably

•

Singaporeans still coping with circuit breaker but signs being home bound is starting to grate on some. More now saying their life has changed completely.

•

Those working from home full time has more than doubled since beginning of April

•

Only 1 in 4 now think they will get the virus compared to 1 in 3 previously

•

Most largely supportive of extended circuit breaker period

•

3 in 10 don’t believe the Government handled the dormitories situation well

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: Confidence has rebounbed after dipping the previous week YKA Jan-20 13-20 Jan

YKA Feb-20 10-14 Feb

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Mar-20 9-19 Mar

75%

79%

80%

79%

25%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 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, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

82%

18%

Economic Sentiment Comment: Majority continue to say they will be worse off this year.

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%

19%

21%

25%

27%

22%

52%

54%

56%

26% 29%

45%

18%

17%

18%

19%

64%

64%

Better

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

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Frustration has risen again, as people has had to stay home longer

Latest YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

9

49%

39%

37%

30%

29%

Uncertain

Anxious

Frustrated

Scared

Sad

46%

38%

34%

28%

27%

Uncertain

Anxious

Frustrated

Sad

Scared

48%

41%

37%

33%

28%

Uncertain

Anxious

Scared

Frustrated

Sad

58%

51%

47%

43%

38%

Uncertain

Anxious

Scared

Sad

Frustrated

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?

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: More than previously, Singaporeans feel their lives have undergone significant change

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

26%

32%

39%

35%

41%

52%

52%

46%

49%

43%

18%

14%

15%

14%

4%

2%

13% 2%

1%

2%

Complete change

10

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: The tougher measures have caused more people to stop going out altogether

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

1

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

52%

2

I’ve been watching more movies/TV

37%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

3

30%

4

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

37%

5 Ranked 6 in W2

6 Ranked 5 in W2

I’m feeling a higher level of boredom than usual I’m feeling a higher level of anxiety than usual

29% 37%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

56% 60%

42% I’ve stopped all outdoor activities (exercise, eating out, etc)

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

60%

48%

57%

44%

46%

43%

42%

46%

36%

33%

32%

36%

35%

37%

31%

33%

Average

58%

45%

38%

37%

30%

32%

36%

42%

35%

34%

33%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 11

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

Day to Day Life Changes: On a Personal Level Comment: Household relationships are improving

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

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

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

35%

35%

22% 30%

24%

22% 28%

27%

21%

21%

19%

23%

20%

18%

21%

18%

23%

18%

21%

18%

19%

23%

12%

10%

14%

12%

26%

9%

Average

31%

25%

21%

20%

20%

12%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 12

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

Day to Day Life Changes: In Terms of Work Comment: More and more people continue to work from home Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr

Rank

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

29%

30%

29% 18%

1

I now work/study at home every weekday

16%

2

I’ve had my working hours reduced

17%

17%

19%

3

I’ve had my wages reduced

15%

14%

16%

4

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

5

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

6

I now work/study at home some days

7

I’ve lost my job

16%

16%

22%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

Average

36%

31%

17%

18%

19%

15% 19%

15%

14%

14%

20%

15%

15%

14%

14%

7%

8%

7%

8%

17% 16%

18%

17%

16%

12%

14%

6%

7%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 13

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

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

Average

1

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

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

9%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

5%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

14

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

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Singaporeans appear to be discounting continuing infections among foreign workers 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

17% 34%

32%

30%

30%

26%

18%

22%

20%

4% 2%

25%

30%

8%

9%

2%

3%

8% 3%

21% 6%

Increase a lot

15

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

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Only one in four now believe they are likely to catch COVID19

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

32%

1%

1%

11%

10%

25%

36%

22%

33%

22%

52%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Very likely

16

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

Quite likely

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?

Not very likely

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr 1%

32%

9% 15%

53%

22%

Not likely at all

25%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: Numbers remain quite stable

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%

81%

60%

61%

78%

77% 58%

17%

18%

17%

18%

3%

2%

4%

5%

Very well

17

80%

Quite well

Not very well

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: No major changes

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

1

Most bank branches will be shut but you can still withdraw money from ATMs

85%

85%

2

Public swimming pools and community recreational facilities will be closed

84%

83%

83%

3

Government recommends everyone stays at home except when you need to go out and shop or buy medical supplies

81%

4

Singaporeans will not be allowed to have staycations at hotels

5

Outdoor exercise allowed but only at a safe distance from others

83%

84%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

79% 84% 80%

81%

78%

80%

79%

79%

78%

80%

75%

78%

Average

83%

81%

81%

80%

79%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

18

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.

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: People are beginning to miss church-going and school-going

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

6

All condo swimming pools and gym facilities will be closed

80%

78%

78%

76%

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

79%

78%

75%

79%

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

82%

78%

74%

76%

All places of worship like churches and mosques will be closed

80%

78%

78%

74%

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

80%

77%

76%

7 Was Rank 10 in W2

8 9 Was Rank 7 in W2

10 Was Rank 9 in W2

75%

Average

78%

78%

78%

78%

77%

(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.

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: A drop in coping with no social gathering

Rank

11

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

No tuition or enrichment classes for kids

12

No social gatherings of any size

13

Not able to visit your place of work/employment

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

81%

No dining out at F&B/restaurant outlets

15

Limit social contact to immediate family members

74%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

75%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

74% 71%

76%

76% 14

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

70%

77%

75%

75%

74%

73%

72%

69%

71%

69%

73%

69%

Average

76%

75%

74%

72%

70%

(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.

Government Performance Metrics

Comment: After a previous tough week, govt performance has bounced back Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus

29%

38%

24%

30%

34%

27%

33%

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

24%

27%

19%

25%

28%

20%

26%

23%

29%

19%

24%

26%

22%

26%

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

23%

30%

17%

24%

23%

20%

27%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

25%

26%

26%

26%

20%

25%

Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country

21%

23%

17%

24%

24%

23%

28%

Advising employers on how to minimize workplace health risks during the current outbreak

23%

23%

15%

24%

26%

19%

25%

Efforts to reduce public panic

21

COVID-19 Asia Resilience Budget World in Crisis Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 YKA Apr-20, W2 YKA Apr-20, W3 14-17 Feb 27-29 Mar 6-7 Apr 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr 20-27 Apr 28-30 Apr

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:

Average

31% 24% 24% 23% 23% 23% 22%

Financial stress due to COVID-19 Comment: Govt handouts from the Budgets are less impacts now % Respondents who answered “Yes”

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

32%

30%

28%

58%

55%

46%

19%

14%

14%

55%

55%

47%

52%

47%

Working more hours during the current crisis

Working less hours during the current crisis

Earning more during the current crisis

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

22

25%

10% 31%

77%

Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis

21%

25%

28%

Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

24%

26%

23%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

Average

30%

59%

25%

28%

How Singaporeans feel about Circuit Breaker extension

Comment: Most Singaporeans are supportive of the Cirbuit Breaker extension

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

Why do you somewhat/totally oppose the extension?*

36% 46% 15%

19%

4%

23

Totally support

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

Totally oppose

It is too long to stay at home

11%

It is going to have a bad impact on business and the economy

11%

It will impact on people’s mental health

9%

The decision was only made because the Government made mistakes with respect to the foreign worker dormitories

9%

My job will be at risk

6%

I find it hard to do my job at home

6%

Its impact on children and their education

5%

*Based off all Singaporeans

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cor010 How do you feel about the extension of the Circuit Breaker to June 1? cor011 Why do you somewhat/totally oppose the decision?

How has the Govt handled COVID-19 cases in foreign worker dormitories?

Quite well 45%

Comment: Around three in ten Singaporeans don’t think the Govt handled the foreign worker dormitories situation well

Not very well 20%

29% Not well at all 9%

Very well 26%

24

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cor012 How well do you think the Singapore Government has handled the rising number of COVID19 cases in foreign worker dormitories?

Have you downloaded the TraceTogether app?

Comment: Singaporeans split down the middle about the virtues of the tracing app

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

Why have you not downloaded the TraceTogether app?*

48%

45%

51%

6%

It’s an invasion of my privacy. I don’t want the Government tracing my movements

20%

I heard it uses up your phone battery

15%

It’s just over reach and not necessary to deal with the problem

10%

It seems like a waste of time/I can’t be bothered

10%

It’s an invasion of privacy for those who have contracted COVID19.

They don’t need to be singled out like criminals

9%

It feels creepy and I don’t want to know if I have come close to a COVID19 case

7%

*Based off all Singaporeans Yes, I have downloaded the app No, but I have heard of it No, never heard of this app

25

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro13 Have you downloaded the TraceTogether app that tells you if you have had close contact with a COVID-19 case, so that contact tracers contact you more quickly. coro14 Why have you not downloaded it?

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