A survey by Toluna and Harris Interactive has found that Australians are more likely to visit cafés, bars, and restaurants that enforce COVID-19 related health measures.
With the daily rate of new infections plummeting and restrictions lifting, life in Australia is starting to return to normal. However, the research reveals that Australians are bracing for a second wave, and plan to go out less than they did pre-pandemic.
The Toluna and Harris Interactive COVID-19 Barometer is a bi-weekly index that taps into a community panel of more than 30 million members providing accurate and timely information on the world’s perceptions regarding the Coronavirus. The latest research surveyed 1096 respondents in Australia.
“It’s clear that Australians have faith that social distancing measures put in place have been successful in curbing COVID-19 in the country, so entertainment and hospitality venues need to take this seriously,” says Stephen Walker, Business Director at Toluna Australia & New Zealand.
“Australians want to go out and support their local bars, clubs and restaurants, but they’re looking to venues to take the lead when it comes to implementing health and safety precautions.”
Despite restrictions easing, Australians are cautious about their activities over the coming months, with many respondents stating they plan to spend less time frequenting hospitality venues than they did before the crisis.
Over the next two months, Australians plan to spend less time eating out at 26 per cent. One out of five stated they’d prefer to hold off going out altogether until the pandemic has passed or a vaccine has been found.
However, many would be more likely to visit venues that implemented the following health precautions:
- 47 per cent want venues to limit numbers through social distancing
- 48 per cent would be more likely to visit venues which provided hand sanitiser and masks
- 43 per cent would like venues to temperature check patrons to allow entry
- 33 per cent would like to see Perspex screens between people, where possible
As winter hits, nearly half – 49 per cent – of Australians surveyed said they’re more concerned about a second wave of COVID-19 than an economic downturn, compared with 42 per cent who were more worried about the economy. Nine per cent weren’t concerned about either.
If a second wave were to hit, Australians said they’d be prepared to go into lockdown again, with a massive 43 per cent saying they could cope with lockdowns that lasted longer than 12 weeks. Fourteen per cent could only cope with lockdowns of up to four weeks, 22 per cent could manage another lockdown for five to eight weeks, with 12 per cent ok to spend another nine to 12 weeks in isolation, should we be faced with a second wave.
