COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 11 (22-26 Jun)

22-26 Jun, Wave 11 (FINAL REPORT)

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

Updated 02 Jul 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

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 5

12-16 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 6

18-22 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) May-20 Wave 7

27-31 May

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 8

2-4 June

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 9

9-12 June

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 10

16-21 June

n=500

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 11

22-26 June

n=500

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Blackbox will be updating the tracking on a weekly basis until the end of June.

Fieldwork is conducted in the early part of every week.

Sampling Information The 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 data-plus 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 Note to Readers This is the last of our weekly COVID19 community reports. We will continue to release out monthly YKA reports looking at how Singaporeans feel about what’s going on and to put the spotlight on current topics of public debate.

This project has been 100% self funded and is fully independent. It’s been fun and thanks for all the encouragement through out (and the brickbats!). Thanks also to my wonderful team at Blackbox for all their help with it. David 4

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Key Tracking Data

5

Major Takeaways – Final Tracker (22-26 June)

6

•

As Singapore transition into Phase Two, we continue to see a level of uncertainty, coupled with a growing desire for things to get back to normal

•

Community anxiety levels have levelled off and fear is now at its lowest (21%) since early April

•

As Singaporeans, look to shift back into every day life, more people are also saying they are feeling indifferent. This suggests both a desire to put the virus behind us as well as some degree of fatigue in having little else to discuss in recent months

•

Similarly, only 28% say their life life has been completely changed by COVID19 – the lowest since early April

•

The number of Singaporean workers who say they are getting financial support from the Government is now at a low - 40% - down from its peak of 77%. This suggests the support offered in the various stimulus Budgets of recent months may not provide as strong a bounce for the Government in the GE, compared to a month ago

•

Singaporeans are a little half hearted about the early announcement of Phase 2. While many have made the trip back the malls, many other ‘restored’ activities are still off the list for many

•

Perceptions of the Government’s overall handling of COVID has not improved greatly as the months have gone on and, more recently, softened in areas such as reducing public panic and minimising the risk of having the virus brought from overseas

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: Dipped below 80% for first time since April possibly due to election announcement.

YKA J an- 20 13-20 Jan

75%

25%

YKA F eb-20 10-14 Feb

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Ma r-20 9-19 Ma r

79%

80%

79%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr

85%

83%

80%

15%

17%

20%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

76%

24%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

82%

80%

18%

20%

Right Track

7

YKA Ma y-20, W4 YKA Ma y-20, W5 YKA Ma y-20, W6 YKA Ma y-20, W7 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May

84%

81%

84%

16%

19%

16%

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 J un-20, W 8 2-4 Jun

YKA J un-20, W 9 YKA J un-20, W 10 YKA J un-20, W 11 9-14 J un 16-21 Jun 22-26 Jun

80%

80%

20%

20%

85%

15%

79%

21%

Economic Sentiment Comment: Some rebound in recent weeks as the economy starts to slowly come back online

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 27-29 Mar 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr

26%

29%

18%

17%

18%

19%

45% 64%

64%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

23%

19%

25%

27%

52%

54%

YKA Apr-20, W3 YKA May-20, W 4 YKA May-20, W 5 YKA May-20, W 6 YKA May-20, W 7 YKA Jun-20, W8 28-30 Apr 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May 2-4 Jun

20%

22%

22%

25%

23%

24%

28%

56%

52%

57%

54%

47%

Better

Same

Worse

(Demographic breaks available on request) 8

25%

23%

21%

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 Jun-20, W9 YKA Jun-20, W10 YKA Jun-20, W11 9-14 Jun 16-21 Jun 22-26 Jun

19%

21%

21%

24%

28%

27%

29%

57%

53%

52%

49%

20%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Anxiety has levelled out and uncertainty persists. Those feeling sad or scared continue to drop.

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

1. Uncertain 2. Frustrated/ Angry 3. Anxious

9

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

48%

46%

49%

44%

52%

50%

50%

50%

45%

39%

41%

41%

58%

48%

47%

47%

51%

41%

38%

4. Scared

47%

5. Sad

43%

21%

6. Confused

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

32%

31%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 21-26 Jun

45%

49%

47%

49%

49%

41%

42%

39%

35%

32%

33%

34%

36%

37%

35%

33%

34%

24%

23%

26%

21%

27%

30%

28%

28%

29%

29%

23%

24%

22%

22%

15%

16%

15%

18%

18%

17%

20%

19%

22%

17%

18%

18%

21%

20%

24%

26%

37%

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% 42% 38% 29% 24% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: COVID19 maybe a long term reality – more starting to feel indifferent.

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

6. Determined 7. Charitable /caring 8. Different

9. Happy

10. Indifferent

11%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

14%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

12%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

10

19%

17%

16%

17%

15%

14%

12%

10%

7%

9%

10%

10%

8%

9%

7%

6%

5%

6%

8%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

14%

16%

11%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

14%

18%

18%

8%

8%

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 21-26 Jun

16%

16%

11%

10%

17%

Average

15% 14%

12%

15%

13%

12%

11%

11%

11%

11%

13%

12%

13%

11%

10%

7%

7%

10%

12%

13%

16%

15%

10%

10%

9%

10%

13%

12%

10%

15%

16%

10%

11%

10%

7%

11%

9%

10%

6%

6%

7% 8%

11. Neighbourly

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

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%

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: Again, the reality of living with COVID19 maybe settling in – less and less seeing it as a complete life changer

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, W 4 4-8 May

26%

32%

39%

35%

41%

36%

52%

52%

46%

49%

43%

18%

14%

13%

15%

4%

2%

2%

1%

YKA May-20, W 6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W 7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

35%

35%

41%

47%

51%

47%

14%

16%

12%

14%

2%

1%

2%

4%

Complete change

11

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

YKA May-20, W 5 12-16 May

Considerable change

Small change

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 22-26 Jun

31%

33%

30%

28%

46%

50%

46%

49%

52%

11% 2%

18%

19%

18%

15%

1%

2%

3%

4%

No change

Encounters with COVID-19 Comment: Steady

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

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 YKA Jun-20, W11 Average 16-12 Jun 21-26 Jun

1

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

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

8%

9%

9%

10%

11%

10%

10%

8%

9%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

4%

7%

6%

7%

6%

6%

5%

6%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

12

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

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Trend shows that more Singaporeans anticipate cases going up in July. Few see cases dropping any time soon.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

42%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W 1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W 2 20-27 Apr

35%

38%

34%

YKA Apr-20, W 3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

17%

14%

13%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

27%

22%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

37%

39%

20%

17%

5%

5%

8%

9%

2%

3%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 22-26 Jun

14%

11%

10%

11%

11%

29%

33%

34%

35%

37%

35%

38%

39%

34%

38%

16%

13%

14%

16%

11%

4%

4%

4%

3%

11%

34%

4% 2%

8% 3%

21% 6%

Increase a lot

13

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

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:

20%

7% 8% Decrease a little

Decrease a lot

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Three in ten still anticipate getting COVID19.

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

1%

11%

9% 23%

32%

25%

33%

22%

22%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Very likely

32%

11%

9% 15%

53%

22%

Quite likely

YKA Ma y-20, W5 12-16 May

1%

1%

10%

52%

14

YKA Ma y-20, W4 4-8 May

1%

11% 36%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

25%

YKA Ma y-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA Ma y-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA J un-20, W 8 2-4 Jun

YKA J un-20, W 9 9-14 J un

1%

0%

2%

1%

1%

9%

9%

32%

20%

19%

48%

53%

20%

30%

18%

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?

30%

32%

31%

18%

19%

22%

48%

50%

52%

52%

22%

18%

18%

17%

21%

Not very likely

Not likely at all

YKA J un-20, W 11 22-26 Jun

1% 2%

12%

9%

11%

12%

YKA J un-20, W 10 16-21 Jun

32%

35%

10% 30%

22%

18%

47%

51%

17%

19%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: Those claiming ongoing support from Government continues to drop suggesting stimulus impact may not play as big a role in the Election campaign. % Respondents who answered “Yes”

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

Working more hours during the current crisis

32%

30%

Working less hours during the current crisis

25%

Earning more during the current crisis

10%

Earning less during the current crisis Getting financial support from the government during the crisis Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

15

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

28%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

29%

28%

30%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

28%

33%

39%

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 21-26 Jun

Average

32%

38%

33% 53%

58%

55%

62%

59%

58%

56%

57%

55%

48%

51%

19%

14%

21%

15%

18%

24%

19%

17%

26%

25%

55%

55%

56%

54%

56%

58%

55%

55%

52%

53%

53%

52%

47%

48%

46%

51%

55%

48%

48%

41%

40%

50%

21%

25%

28%

32%

25%

29%

37%

28%

25%

27%

28%

24%

26%

23%

29%

28%

31%

28%

31%

31%

77%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

27% 33%

40%

19%

28%

30%

Phase 2: Initial Sentiment Comment: Only one in five ‘very pleased with early announcement of Phase 2. Singaporeans are clearly being circumspect when it comes to what they are going out to do.

Does the early start to Phase 2….

Visited a shopping Visited a sho pping mall mall

21% 62% 42%

28%

38%

10%

16

Please you very much

Worry you a little

Please you a little

Worry you a lot

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb9. Does the earlier than expected start to Phase Two… b8. The second phase of the post circuit breaker period began last Friday (19 June). So far have you…

Activities engaged in during Phase 2 so far…

Dined out at a restau rant or fo od court etc.?

Gone out socially with friends

Dined out at a restaurant or food court etc.?

46%

54%

Gone out socially with friends

31%

69%

Yes

No

Gone out on a date

Gone out on a date

Been to a bar

Been to a bar

18%

11%

82%

89%

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Our last tracker shows a mixed bag for the Government. Provision of public information has rebounded but fewer are rating the Government strongly on reducing public panic and minimizing risks from overseas Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

COVID-19 Asia 14-17 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

29%

38%

25%

26%

30%

34%

26%

26%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

27%

33%

31%

29%

28%

20%

25%

29%

25%

23%

28%

22%

26%

27%

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W9 9-14 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W10 16-21 Jun

YKA Jun-20, W11 21-26 Jun

28%

21%

22%

27%

28%

23%

29%

23%

22%

25%

21%

23%

28%

23%

23%

24%

21%

23%

23%

25%

20%

22%

21%

19%

24%

19%

24%

26%

17%

24%

23%

20%

27%

27%

25%

24%

27%

20%

20%

23%

21%

27%

19%

25%

28%

20%

26%

26%

23%

21%

24%

20%

19%

21%

20%

23%

15%

24%

19%

25%

26%

24%

23%

27%

21%

16%

23%

22%

23%

29%

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

23%

30%

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

24%

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

23%

17

13%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

24%

23%

Efforts to reduce public panic

24%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

17%

21%

Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

26%

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%

25%

Average

29%

24%

24%

23%

23%

23%

23%

+65 6323 1351 Blackbox Research is a Singapore based data content specialist. We provide research and affiliated data and communications services for business, government and NGO clients across Asia.

enquiries@blackbox.com.sg www.blackbox.com.sg