In new polling by Ipsos MORI, two-thirds (67%) of Britons
say they will feel uncomfortable going to large public
gatherings, such as sports or music events, compared to how they
felt before the virus. Only 17% would feel comfortable attending
such an event while 41% would feel not at
all comfortable.
Three in five (61%) Britons would also feel uncomfortable
using public transport or going to bars and restaurants. While 3
in 10 (29%) feel comfortable going out to eat and drink, only 21%
would be happy to use public transport to get there.
Young people are most at ease with going to bars and
restaurants, 36% of 18-34-year olds feel comfortable doing so,
compared to only 22% of 55-75s. Similarly, young people are most
willing to head to large public gatherings. A quarter of 18-34s
(26%) would be comfortable going to a sports match or music event
compared to only 9% of 55-75s.
Almost two-thirds (62%) of Britons are comfortable with the
idea of meeting friends and family outside of their household,
however a third remain sceptical (33%). Around half are
comfortable when it comes to shopping; 51% would be at ease with
shopping in a supermarket while 49% are happy to go to other
shops. However, a further 43% say they will feel uncomfortable
shopping in other shops. Four in 10 (39%) would feel
uncomfortable shopping in supermarkets.
Despite being most willing to attend large public events
and bars/ restaurants, young people are least likely to be
comfortable with meeting friends and family outside of their
households. While two-thirds (64%) of those aged 35-75 would be
happy doing so, only 57% of 18-34-year olds are at ease with
this.
Half (49%) of those who are currently employed feel
comfortable going back to work, a third (35%) would be nervous to
do so. When parents/ guardians think about sending their children
back to school, more feel uncomfortable than comfortable about
doing so. Almost half (48%) express unease while 41% say they
would be happy to send their children back.
Keiran Pedley, Research Director at Ipsos MORI
said: “The public are looking forward to
seeing family members again in person and a clear majority are
comfortable doing so. However, there is clear unease at other
consequences of the lockdown ending. In particular, clear
majorities of Britons are nervous about using public transport
again or going to bars, restaurants or live music and sporting
events. These numbers suggest that it will take some time for
parts of the British economy to return to any semblance of
normality, even after lockdown has ended”.
