COVID-19 Community Tracking in Singapore, Wave 8 (2-4 Jun)

2-4 Jun, Wave 8

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

Updated 12 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

YouKnowANot (YKA) Jun-20 Wave 8

2-4 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.

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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 – First Week Post CB (2-4 June)

6

•

The first week after the end of Circuit Breaker reveals Singaporeans to be in a cautious frame of mind. There is qualified support for what is permitted during the first phase and this subdued sentiment is reflected in how the Government is seen to be handling the COVID19 situation – numbers dived to an all time low since we started measuring in February. Also, most don’t see normality returning any time soon.

•

The anticipation of escaping Circuit Breaker restrictions has also met outside world reality with economic sentiment and anxieties going back to trend. Most Singaporeans believe they are going to be worse off this year and more than half of all working adults claim to be earning less than they were before the crisis started

•

About 3 in 10 strongly support Phase One measures while 5 in 10 express qualified support. However, non support amongst Gen Z’ers is 1 in 4.

•

Looking ahead, the most likely biggest spenders in the months ahead are Gen Xers with school age kids. This makes sense given unmet family retail needs over recent months and the number of families with two working incomes

•

Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) of Singaporeans do not believe life will return to normal until 2021 and the majority don’t think normality will return any time before 4Q 2020 (October)

•

Singaporeans initial response to the new SG Digital Office, which is aimed at helping hawkers and older people cope with the new digital world, is positive. More than half characterise the initiative as essential. Les than 1 in 10 think it is over reach.

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore

Is Singapore Heading in the Right Direction?

Comment: With GE now likely in July, the Government will be happy that the right track rating remains high and is holding up

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 Solidarity Budget 27-29 Mar 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 YKA May-20, W 5 YKA May-20, W 6 YKA May-20, W 7 YKA May-20, W 8 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May 2-4 Jun

82%

80%

84%

81%

84%

80%

18%

20%

16%

19%

16%

20%

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?

Economic Sentiment Comment: Pre-Phase One confidence has dissipated after only a week. Negative sentiment back to trend

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%

YKA May-20, W 8 2-4 Jun

20% 24%

57%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling?

Comment: Fear now at half the level it was at beginning of April but uncertainty and anxiety not going away yet.

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

48%

46%

49%

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

44%

52%

48%

47%

47%

50%

50%

51%

41%

38%

39%

41%

27%

30%

32%

28%

28%

29%

29%

18%

18%

17%

20%

58%

4. Scared

47%

5. Sad

43%

6. Confused

9

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

21%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

50%

45%

45%

45%

41%

42%

39%

41%

34%

36%

37%

24%

26%

24%

23%

24%

22%

22%

19%

22%

17%

18%

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% 45% 40% 31% 28% 19%

How Are Singaporeans Feeling? (contd.)

Comment: Singaporeans positive mindset returning‌.but still slowly

World in Crisis 6-7 Apr

6. Determined

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

11%

YKA May-20, W4 4-8 May

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

19%

17%

16%

17%

YKA May-20, W6 18-22 May

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 May

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

18%

18%

12%

15%

13%

11%

11%

11%

9%

15%

12%

14%

16%

15%

14%

12%

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%

12%

8%

9%

7%

6%

10%

7%

7%

10%

12%

8%

10. Indifferent

11. Happy

14%

Average

14% 7. Charitable /caring

10

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 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?

14% 10% 9%

COVID19: Impact on Day to Day Life in SG Comment: Mood seems to shift on this issue – are things the same or have they changed?

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

YKA May-20, W8 2-4 Jun

35%

35%

41%

31%

47%

51%

47%

46%

50%

14%

16%

14%

1%

11% 2%

18%

2%

12% 2%

Considerable change

YKA May-20, W5 12-16 May

Small change

4%

No change

1%

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

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

1

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

8%

8%

10%

10%

9%

8%

9%

9%

10%

11%

2

One of my friends or work colleagues has contracted the coronavirus

5%

5%

6%

6%

6%

6%

4%

7%

6%

7%

3

One of my family members has contracted the coronavirus

4%

3%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

5%

4%

(Demographic breaks available on request)

12

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

Average

9%

6%

3%

Anticipated Infection Trends in Singapore Comment: Many Singaporeans seem to think COVID19 cases will continue to 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

32%

30%

30%

26%

27%

27%

22%

18%

22%

20%

25%

30%

34%

37%

39%

20%

17%

20%

5%

5%

8%

9%

2%

3%

3%

21%

8%

13

14%

11%

29%

33%

35%

38%

16%

13%

7%

4%

8%

6%

Increase a lot

YKA May-20, W8 2-4 Jun

11%

34%

4% 2%

YKA May-20, W7 27-31 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:

Decrease a little

Decrease a lot

Will I Get Infected?

Comment: Personal fear of infection remains constant

Resilience Budget 27-29 Mar

Solidarity Budget 7-8 Apr

YKA Apr-20, W2 20-27 Apr

1%

1%

11%

9% 23%

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

32%

25%

11% 36%

22%

14

33%

22%

52%

51%

49%

16%

12%

15%

17%

Quite likely

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 May-20, W8 2-4 Jun

1%

1%

0%

2%

1%

11%

9%

9%

12%

11%

1%

10%

52%

Very likely

YKA Apr-20, W3 28-30 Apr

32%

9% 15%

53%

22%

25%

20%

48%

20%

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?

32%

19%

30%

21%

30%

18%

32%

19%

53%

48%

50%

52%

18%

22%

18%

18%

Not very likely

Not likely at all

31%

Financial Stress Due to COVID-19 Comment: Reported financial support has dropped off with people going back to work. But half report that they are earning less.

This has stayed constant since April 20. % 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

YKA Jun-20, W8 2-4 Jun

28% 39%

Working less hours during the current crisis

Getting financial support from the government during the crisis

15

YKA Apr-20, W1 13-16 Apr

58%

55%

62%

59%

58%

56%

57%

19%

14%

21%

15%

18%

24%

19%

55%

55%

56%

54%

56%

58%

55%

52%

47%

48%

46%

51%

55%

48%

21%

25%

28%

32%

25%

29%

37%

28%

24%

26%

23%

29%

27%

77%

Average

31%

54%

18%

53%

53%

28%

28% 33%

40%

30%

Claimed Spending Power Over the Next 6 Months Comment: Likely that immediate spending boost when retailers open will come from families with school age children while GenZ/millennial professionals more iikely to splash out but with less abandon

16

11%

30%

33%

18%

8%

Well above what you were spending just before the COVID19 crisis

A little above what you were spending just before the COVID19 crisis

About the same what you were spending just before the COVID19 crisis

A little below what you were spending just before the COVID19 crisis

Well below what you were spending just before the COVID19 crisis

Higher amongst Gen X (40-59 yo)

Higher amongst Gen Z/Millennials

Baby boomers more likely to stay put

More likely amongst lower income households, Gen Z

No significant differences

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb4_new Thinking about your spending power over the next six months, do you think you will likely be spending‌

Sentiment on Post CB Phase 1 Comment: Qualified support amongst Singaporeans although non-support higher amongst Gen Z’ers (1 in 4)

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?

17

29%

Totally Support

52% Somewhat Support

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb7_new 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?

12%

4% 4%

Somewhat Oppose

Totally Rather Oppose Not Say

When Will Things Be Back to Normal?

Comment: Most Singaporeans do not see life going back to normal until at least Q4 2020 while a significant number do not expect to see full sunlight until 2021

Life will be back to normal‌

16%

By Sept 2020

16%

13%

By Oct 2020

By Nov 2020

Don’t Know 11%

18

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb9_new When do you think life will be back to normal in Singapore with everything open again as it was prior to the crisis?

16%

29%

By Dec 2020

Not until 2021

Back to Office or Working From Home?

Comment: Gen Z more likely to be returning to the workplace either some days or all the time

43%

Going to workplace on some days

34%

52% Gen Z (15-24 yo)

19

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb10_new Have you or are you returning to your workplace this week or next?

Continue to work from home everyday

51% Baby Boomers (60 yo+) *Small sample

23%

Going to workplace everyday

28% Gen Z (15-24 yo)

New SG Digital Office to Help Hawkers and Seniors Comment: About half see the initiative as essential while just over 4 in 10 give it qualified approval. Less than 1 in 10 see it as over-reach at this point in time.

51%

It is essential as hawkers and the elderly need help coming into the digital age

7%

20

20%

It is not essential but it’s a good idea to help hawkers and the elderly to change their habits

22%

It’s a good idea but only for those who want to do it. Others who don’t should be left alone and not pushed to change

It’s overreach. The government can’t just force hawkers and older people to change a lifetime of habits in just a few months

COVID19 Community Tracker Singapore cb8_new The Government has created a new SG Digital Office that will recruit 1000 digital ambassadors by the end of June to to help hawkers and seniors to learn new digital tools such as learning to use QR codes for e payment.

The ambassadors will also be teaching 100,000 seniors how to buy things online and how to use smartphone apps to communicate with friends and family by March next year. What do you think of this initiative?

Government Performance Metrics Comment: Worse week for Government since February. Seems that not everybody is convinced about the road ahead.

Performance Metric % who rated Excellent (top box)

Keeping the public informed with accurate information about the virus

COVID-19 Asia Resilience Budget World in Crisis 14-17 Feb 27-29 Mar 6-7 Apr

29%

24%

Solidarity Budget YKA Apr-20, W1 YKA Apr-20, W2 YKA Apr-20, W3 YKA May-20, W4 YKA May-20, W5 YKA May-20, W6 YKA May-20, W7 YKA Jun-20, W8 Average 7-8 Apr 13-16 Apr 20-27 Apr 28-30 Apr 4-8 May 12-16 May 18-22 May 27-31 May 2-4 Jun

30%

38% 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%

Monitoring people’s temperature when entering public buildings

25%

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%

21

33%

31%

34%

23%

Efforts to reduce public panic

27%

19%

24%

19%

25%

17%

24%

22%

26%

28%

20%

26%

26%

20%

27%

20%

25%

24%

23%

28%

26%

19%

25%

26%

28%

23%

27%

29%

29%

28%

28%

21%

23%

23%

25%

20%

23%

21%

24%

20%

25%

24%

27%

20%

30% 26%

13%

26%

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:

29%

27%

26%

23%

29%

25%

23%

28%

24%

23%

27%

25%

23%

23%

21%

24%

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.

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