One-third of Singaporeans feel 'concerned' about easing of COVID-19 measures: poll

SINGAPORE — While most Singaporeans are feeling positive about the upcoming relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, about one-third of them remained concerned about the effects of the easing-up of rules, according to a survey done by online research company YouGov.

The firm said in a media release on Friday (25 March) that, according to data gathered from 1,048 Singaporeans, 38 per cent of them felt happy, 31 per cent felt relieved, and 29 per cent of them felt concerned about the easing of community safe management measures in Singapore.

There is also some disparity in how men and women feel about the issue, with men significantly more likely to express positive sentiment of relief (35 per cent), happiness (42 per cent) and excitement (30 per cent), and women more likely to resonate with the negative sentiment of concern (33 per cent).

Of the various safe management measures that are to be eased from next Tuesday, the survey revealed that Singaporeans are most anticipative of resuming larger-scale social gatherings, with seven in 10 (75 per cent) looking forward to the increase in group sizes from five to 10 persons.

In particular, those above the age of 55 are significantly more likely to say they are looking forward to the increased group sizes, with eight in ten expressing anticipation (81 per cent).

The removal of the mandatory requirement to wear masks outdoors (63 per cent) and reduction of quarantine rules for travel (52 per cent) also came up tops in the minds of Singaporeans, with full-time working adults most looking forward to the increased ease of travel (58 per cent).

YouGov said in its media release that young adults are especially looking forward to the lifting of restrictions on alcohol and live entertainment, with half of those aged 18 to 24 anticipating the resumption of live music and screening of live broadcast programmes at F&B establishments (51 per cent), and four in 10 of those aged 25 to 34 looking forward to consuming alcohol beyond 10.30pm (38 per cent).

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