COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 7 (27-31 May)

27-31 May, Wave 7

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

Updated 04 Jun 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

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

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

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 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 Last Week of May

6

•

Polling in the last week of the Circuit Breaker period reveals Singaporeans to be increasingly optimistic and seemingly happy to get out of the house

•

In the week of the Fortitude Budget, economic and personal sentiment also improved a little

•

General feelings of uncertainty and confusion fell although anxiety ticked up a little, possibly because people are still worried that the COVID19 is still very much present in the community

•

While the Fortitude Budget appears to have had some impact on wider macro sentiment, it resonated far less than the previous two supplementary Budgets, at an individual level. It rated lower and fewer Singaporeans tuned in to the detail.

•

This appears to be because the Fortitude Budget was seen my more people as a set of measures directly aimed at small and medium business survival rather than workers and households directly

•

But Singaporeans solidly behind Government using reserves to save the economy

•

Post CB, the bulk of Singaporeans (around half) indicate qualified support for the Phase One measures announced by the Government

•

Surprisingly, 27% of employees claim they are going back to work full time despite the Government announcing most should remain working at home

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: With talk of a looming GE now ever louder, the Government will be satisfied that the right track rating remains high and has held up through May YKA Jan -20 13-20 Jan

75%

25%

YKA Feb-20 10-14 Feb

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

YKA Mar-20 9-19 Mar

79%

80%

79%

21%

20%

21%

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

85%

83%

80%

76%

15%

17%

20%

24%

Right Track

7

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W 4 4-8 May

82%

80%

84%

81%

84%

18%

20%

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 May-20, W 5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W 6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W 7 27-31 May

Economic Sentiment Comment: End of circuit breaker has resulted in confidence ticking up particularly amongst younger Singaporeans.

Bud get 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

26% 29%

45%

18%

17%

18%

19%

64%

64%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

23%

19%

25%

52%

YKA May-20, W 5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W 6 18-22 May

21%

23%

20%

22%

27%

22%

25%

23%

24%

28%

54%

56%

52%

57%

54%

47%

Better

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

Same

YKA May-20, W 4 4-8 May

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 May-20, W 7 27-31 May

25%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Confusion and uncertainty declining as we approach the post CB world

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

1. Uncertain 2.Frustrated/Angry 3. Anxious

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

48%

46%

49%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

44%

52%

50%

45%

48%

47%

47%

50%

50%

45%

41%

42%

51%

41%

38%

39%

41%

41%

34%

36%

27%

30%

24%

26%

28%

28%

29%

29%

23%

24%

22%

18%

18%

17%

20%

19%

22%

17%

58%

4. Scared

47%

5. Sad

43%

6. Confused

9

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

21%

32%

31%

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% 46% 40% 32% 28% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: Singaporeans positive mindset returning‌.but slowly

6. Charitable /caring 7 Determined

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

16%

15%

14%

12%

14%

12%

14%

11%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

16%

17%

19%

17%

14%

12%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

Average

15%

15%

18%

15%

11%

10%

11%

9%

8. Different

10%

7%

9%

10%

10%

11%

11%

9. Neighbourly

11%

8%

8%

8%

11%

10%

7%

6%

8%

7%

10%

9%

10%

13%

9%

9%

7%

6%

10%

7%

7%

10%

8%

10. Indifferent 11. Happy

10

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

5%

8%

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: As people begin to look forwards and re-enter the real world, many seem to realise life has changed since March. It’s a new world out there.

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%

18%

14%

15%

4%

2%

13% 2%

1%

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, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

35%

35%

41%

47%

51%

47%

46%

14%

16%

14%

2%

1%

12% 2%

11% 2%

Considerable change

Small change

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

No change

4%

Day to Day Life Changes: On a Personal Level Comment: Panic buying is declining and people more people are already going out socially, despite ongoing restrictions Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

1

2

I’ve stopped going out socially and only go out for essential purposes I’ve been watching more movies/TV

52%

37%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

60%

60%

42%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

56%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

57%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

58%

61%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

46%

38%

49%

57%

30%

4

I’m feeling a higher level of boredom than usual

29%

5

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

37%

37%

36%

33%

32%

32%

33%

34%

I’m feeling a higher level of anxiety than usual

37%

32%

36%

6

31%

33%

31%

30%

29%

30%

36%

42% 35%

46% 37%

46% 36%

42% 36%

36%

41%

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

57%

46%

41%

35%

29%

34%

28%

32%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 12

Average

41%

40% 43%

46%

53%

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

3

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

50% 46%

44% 48%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

Day to Day Life Changes: On a Personal Level Comment: More people taking public transport Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

7

8

9

I’ve stopped taking public transport

17%

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

22%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

35%

29%

27%

34%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

37%

34%

33%

30%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

29%

24%

22% 28% 21%

35%

21%

19%

23%

26%

13

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

22% 30%

I’ve been trying to eat better

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

34%

21% 27%

25%

25%

20%

18%

21%

18%

23%

28%

27%

26%

26%

Relationships with those who live in my household have strengthened

18%

21%

18%

19%

23%

25%

23%

23%

25%

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

9%

12%

10%

14%

12%

11%

13% 16%

16%

10

I’ve been exercising/working out more

11

12

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

(Demographic breaks available on request)

Average

30%

28%

23%

23%

22%

13%

Day to Day Life Changes: In Terms of Work Comment: Those seeking part time work or extra income at peak since March Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Rank

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

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 started looking at taking on courses to improve my work skills

5

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

6

I now work/study at home some days (not every day)

7

I’ve lost my job

15%

14%

22%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

36% 17%

19%

16%

7%

15%

8%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

27%

29%

33%

33%

17%

21%

18%

19%

19%

19%

14%

7%

23%

18%

22%

21% 15%

14%

8%

17% 12%

6%

18%

18%

14%

16%

9%

7%

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

20%

18%

16%

8%

8%

(Demographic breaks available on request) 14

18%

Average

30%

18%

18%

20%

15% 19%

15%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

16%

14% 20%

16%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

18%

17%

15%

8%

Day to Day Life Changes: Encounters with COVID-19 Comment: No significant change 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 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

1

I’ve had to go through a period of self-isolation/quarantine

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

8%

9%

9%

10%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

4%

7%

6%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

15

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

Average

9%

5%

3%

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Post CB, more Singaporeans seem to think COVID19 cases may again increase

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

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

17%

14%

13%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

14% 11%

34%

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

27%

22%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

8%

9%

37%

39%

2%

3%

20%

17%

20%

5%

5%

4% 2%

3%

21%

35%

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

16% 7%

8%

16

29%

8%

6% Increase a lot

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Personal fear of infection has remained steady for four weeks

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

1%

1%

32%

11%

36%

25%

22%

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

1%

10%

33%

32%

22%

52%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Very likely

17

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

Quite likely

9%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

1%

1%

0%

2%

11%

9%

9%

12%

19%

30% 21%

53%

48%

50%

18%

22%

18%

15%

25% 20%

53%

48%

22%

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

32%

20%

Not very likely

Not likely at all

30%

18%

32%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: Those not coping now back to 16%

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%

60%

18% 2%

80%

61%

17% 4%

Very well

18

78% 58%

18% 5%

Quite well

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

23%

18%

77%

84% 61%

66%

12%

14%

4%

2%

Not very well

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

19%

24%

84% 60%

79%

84% 60%

18%

13%

3%

3%

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: As the weather warms more Singaporeans longing for recreation

Rank

1

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

2

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

3

Public swimming pools and community recreational facilities will be closed

4

Outdoor exercise allowed but only at a safe distance from others

5

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%

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

82%

82%

78%

79%

79%

75%

81%

79%

85%

84% 83%

78%

80%

80%

81%

80%

79%

78%

80%

75%

78%

82%

79%

75%

79%

79%

78%

78%

81%

84% 83% 84%

83%

76%

(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.

80%

Average

83%

80%

80%

79%

79% 79%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: Most remain relaxed about working from home

Rank

6

7

8

9

10

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

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

79%

78%

All condo swimming pools and gym facilities will be closed

80%

78%

82%

80%

Pre-schools will be closed but alternative care arrangements will be available All places of worship like churches and mosques will be closed

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

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

75%

79%

79%

79%

78%

76%

78%

78%

74%

76%

78%

78%

74%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

74%

78%

76%

75%

76%

77%

77%

77%

76%

77%

75%

75%

75%

Average

78%

77%

77%

77%

72% 80%

77%

76%

75%

78%

74%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

20

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

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.

73%

76%

How Are Singaporeans Coping With the Circuit Breaker?

Comment: Singaporeans tiring of eating at home

Rank

11

12

13

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

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

No dining out at F&B/restaurant outlets

15

Limit social contact to immediate family members

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

75% 81%

74%

75%

74%

76%

76%

70%

77%

75%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

72%

70%

72%

70%

68%

67%

70%

Average

78%

77%

74%

75%

74%

73%

75%

74%

72%

69%

71%

71%

70%

69%

66%

69%

73%

69%

74%

71%

70%

70%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

21

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

77%

71%

Not able to visit your place of work/employment

14

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

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.

77%

77%

76%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: Financial support rose in the last week

% Respondents who answered “Yes”

Working more hours during the current crisis

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

32%

30%

25%

Earning more during the current crisis

10%

Earning less during the current crisis

31%

Getting financial support from your employer during the crisis Getting financial support from my family during the crisis

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore coro10 Are you…

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

39%

Working less hours during the current crisis

Getting financial support from the government during the crisis

22

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

58%

55%

62%

59%

58%

56%

19%

14%

21%

15%

18%

24%

55%

55%

56%

54%

56%

58%

52%

47%

48%

46%

51%

55%

21%

25%

28%

32%

25%

29%

37%

24%

26%

23%

29%

27% 33%

40%

77%

Average

30% 53% 17% 52% 53% 28% 30%

Fortitude Budget: Community Attention Comment: Singaporeans paid much less attention to the latest Budget announcement

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

34%

45%

Fortitude Budget 27-31 May

30%

49%

40%

43%

42%

17% 4%

No attention at all

23

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

40%

10%

9%

2%

2%

A little attention

Some attention

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb1. With respect to this week’s Fortitude Budget and the follow-up news stories, would you say you have paid:

20% 4%

Close attention

Fortitude Budget: Ratings Comment: Fortitude Budget scored lower than previous two supplementary Budgets

Average Score

(On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is very poor and 10 is excellent)

7.4

7.3 6.7

6.7

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

24

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb2. On a scale of 0-10 where 0=very poor and 10=excellent, how would you rate the measures announced in this week’s _______ Budget 2020?

Fortitude Budget 27-31 May

Fortitude Budget: Lower Impact Comment: Not seen as a Budget targeting low-middle income earners. Latest announcement resonated more with higher income, mid career professionals

Singaporeans who rated 8-10 for the 4 Budgets

higher income

Demographic Breaks

(On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is very poor and 10 is excellent) Gender

54%

55%

Age

39%

35%

Income

Budget 2020 19-20 Feb

25

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

Fortitude Budget 27-31 May

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb2. On a scale of 0-10 where 0=very poor and 10=excellent, how would you rate the measures announced in this week’s _______ Budget 2020?

Male

41%

Female

37%

15-24 years old

35%

25-34 years old

39%

35-49 years old

48%

50 years old and above

31%

Low

33%

Medium – Low

28%

Medium – High

44%

High

52%

Fortitude Budget: Evaluation of Key Features Comment: Wage support measures seen as essential for wider economy while utilities credit resonated best for families

Benefit Economy & Employment

47%

Benefit Self & Family

44%

34%

36% 32%

27% 22% 19%

Wage support (75% max) for businesses which cannot resume after CB

26

Extension of job support scheme to August 2020

Creation of 40,000 jobs by end of 2020

21% 17%

Increased support for most affected sectors

18%

$800 x 3 months for locals with affected jobs/pay

17%

15%

Incentives to hire local workers

15%

$100 utilities credit for each household to be credited

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb3. Here are some of the major announcements arising from the Fortitude Budget? Which ones do you think will benefit the economy and employment the most? Select up to three. fb4. And which ones do you think will benefit you and your family the most? Select up to three.

14%

14%

Training courses for 30,000 job seekers

Fortitude Budget: Evaluation of Lesser Features Comment: Indirect (versus direct financial) support measures carried less impact with most

Benefit Economy & Employment

Benefit Self & Family

11% 7%

8%

7% 5%

21,000 SGUnited traineeships for local first-time job seekers

27

Cash grants to help SMES with rental costs

6%

7%

4%

Dollar for dollar matching to support charities

8% 6%

6% 4%

4,000 traineeships for mid-career job seekers

Foreign worker levy and waiver rebate for businesses

5% 3%

$4.5 billion in loans for promising start ups

Defer CPF contributions by senior workers

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb3. Here are some of the major announcements arising from the Fortitude Budget? Which ones do you think will benefit the economy and employment the most? Select up to three. fb4. And which ones do you think will benefit you and your family the most? Select up to three.

4%

2%

$300 x 5 months support for hawkers who adopt e-payments

Fortitude Budget: Perceived Winners Comment: Fortitude Budget seen as one targeting small and medium businesses more than workers or households

Small and medium businesses Workers

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

12%

15% 23%

19%

16% 26%

The whole Singapore community Families Major companies Those who have lost their jobs due to the current crisis Those who are Self employed

28

Fortitude Budget 27-31 May

16% 14% 23%

20% 13%

13%

19% 12% 20%

19% 4%

7%

7%

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb5. Who do you think the Fortitude Budget will help the most in terms of the latest support measures announced?

Using Singapore’s Reserves Comment: Singaporeans are strongly behind the Government’s decision to rely on reserves to fund economic recovery

v

39%

29

v

37%

v

16%

v

6%

v

2%

It’s essential

It’s necessary and…

It’s necessary, but…

It’s not so necessary

It’s not necessary at all

The Government has no other choice but to use past reserves to save the economy and minimise job losses

I am also confident we can rebuild the reserves in coming years

It still worries me we may not have enough reserves in the future

The Government could rely less on dipping into our reserves

I am totally against Singapore’s reserves being used this way

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb6. Altogether, the Government will be spending more than $52 billion dollars from Singapore’s past reserves this year. That’s the most ever. How do you feel about using up this amount of Singapore’s reserves in one year?

Post Circuit Breaker Comment: Around half of Singaporeans reveal grudging support for ongoing restrictions in Phase One. More than one in four workers claim they are heading back to the workplace full time

Ongoing Restrictions: dofeel youabout feel about HowHow do you Phase 1? what’s allowed in Phase One?

32%

Totally support

49%

Somewhat support

Somewhat oppose

12%

Totally oppose

3% 3%

Rather not say

Base: All

Work: Will you be

ll you be returning to your workplace next returning toweek….? your

27%

45%

28%

workplace next week?*

Yes, I will be going in every day

Yes, but only some days. The rest of the days I will be working from home

No, I will continue to work from home every day

Base: Those currently employed

30

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore fb7. The circuit breaker ends on June 1. How do you feel about what the government has said about what is allowed and not allowed during the first phase of the post circuit breaker period which will last at least one month? fb8. Will you be returning to your workplace next week….?

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Improved metrics in the wake of the Fortitude Budget and post CB announcements Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

29%

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

24%

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

30%

38%

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

27%

33%

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

31%

34%

23%

29%

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

24%

27%

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

23%

30%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

25%

26%

Minimizing the risk of people bringing the virus from another country

21%

23%

17%

24%

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

23%

23%

15%

24%

Efforts to reduce public panic

31

COVID-19 Asia 14-17 Feb

26%

26%

28%

19%

24%

19%

25%

17%

24%

23%

20%

27%

26%

26%

20%

25%

29%

23%

28%

27%

19%

25%

13%

28%

24%

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:

22%

20%

26%

26%

27%

26%

29%

28%

28%

23%

23%

25%

23%

21%

24%

24%

24%

27%

25%

23%

29%

25%

23%

28%

24%

23%

27%

25%

30%

24%

24%

24%

24%

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