It is with a sense of pride that I bring to you once again the results of an updated research done by EMCS (www.emcs.com.mt) on the Maltese Perspectives on COVID-19. The research study was carried out between Tuesday 27th April and Thursday 30th April 2020 whereby a total of 524 surveys were collected representing a 95% confidence level and a confidence interval of 4.3%. The following factors were tackled in this study:
•Individuals perceptions as to how the Government is handling the health and economic situation and safeguarding jobs following COVID-19
•Individuals’ working status and their perceptions as to whether/to what extent COVID-19 was likely to effect their employment
•Individuals’ level of concern on a number of factors
•Income and expenditure trends
•Lifestyle alterations caused by COVID – 19
While positive, locals’ positive perception decreased by 8% when compared with the study conducted 2 weeks and is the lowest score over the 1 month period.
•The survey evidences a marginal, yet constant increase in peoples’ positive perception as to how the health situation is being handled.
•There was no variance when analysing responses by those that work in the private and public sector.
•A total of 6% (32 individuals) indicated to be currently unemployed.
•Of the unemployed (32 individuals) 47% indicated to have been in employment a month ago. All within this cluster (15 individuals) indicated to have been made redundant following the COVID-19 outbreak.
•This figure is consistent with the previous surveys. This is in line with the past survey conducted 2 weeks ago.
•On the other hand, 35% indicated that it was likely/ most likely that they would make changes.
•There are variances in responses between those working in the private sector as opposed to those in the public sector. 83% of those in the public sector are not fearful/ not fearful at all as opposed to 63% of those in the private sector.
•15% of the private sector are fearful as opposed to 5% of the public sector (with the rest expressing neutral views).
•(While this question analyses respondents’ current concerns, in the previous study the question was forward looking, with respondents asked to indicate their concern to losing their job in the coming 3 months and 6 months. Then 24% and 29% had indicated to be concerned).
•Over the three studies, those willing to get a wage cut ranged between 55% and 64%, with those willing to forgo 10% of their wages or less ranging between 71% and 83%.
•Overall, locals concerns have decreased since the previous study. Then 50% were concerned about their physical health and 43% were concerned about their mental health. Concerns about their financial situation remained stable (then 35%).
•In terms of expenditure, 31% indicated that their expenditure had not altered over the past month. 35% indicated that their expenditure had decreased while 34% indicated that it had increased. A review of responses by age indicates that a higher percentage of those aged 65 and over indicated an increase in expenditure (half of those within this age bracket) than other age groups. Conversely, 57% of those falling within the 18 to 24 age bracket indicated a decrease in expenditure.
•Among those that believe that government should start relaxing restrictive measures, the majority (78% or 105 responses) believe government should do so over the coming four weeks.
•41% trust in the Government to decide when its best.
•38% are of the opinion that the airport should only open up once a vaccine is available.
•Even among those that answered in the positive (24%), those that believe the airport should re-open any time soon are minimal.
•Conversely, 22% indicated that it was unlikely that their outlook on life to change.
Thus, this research study draws the below conclusions:-
•With 94% responses, the general public is of the opinion that the government is handling the health situation caused by COVID-19 in Malta well with 21% expressing positive views and 73% felt extremely positive.
•With 67% responses the general public is of the opinion that the government is handling the economic situation caused by COVID-19 in Malta well, with 36% expressing positive views while 31% felt extremely positive. While positive, locals’ positive perception decreased by 8% when compared with the study conducted 2 weeks and is the lowest score over the 1 month period.
•Three-fourths of the population expect the Government to come up with more financial assistance to support the economy.
•46% of those interviewed indicated to be currently in employment. A total of 6% indicated to be currently unemployed.
•Among those in employment, just over half indicated to be working from home. Such figure is consistent with the study conducted 2 weeks ago.
•42% of those in employment do not think that they are likely to make changes to their way of working following COVID. Conversely, 35% indicated that it was likely/ most likely that they would make changes.
•With 71% responses, overall individuals who are currently in employment do not fear losing their job (11% are fearful/ extremely fearful). There are variances in responses between those working in the private sector as opposed to those in the public sector. 83% of those in the public sector are not fearful/ not fearful at all as opposed to 63% of those in the private sector. 15% of the private sector are fearful as opposed to 5% of the public sector (with the rest expressing neutral views).
•57% of those in employment would be willing to get a wage cut to help secure their job with the majority (83%) willing to forgo under 10%. Over the three studies, those willing to get a wage cut ranged between 55% and 64%, with those willing to forgo 10% of their wages or less ranging between 71% and 83%.
•Among the various factors under review, locals’ main concern relates to the health of their loved ones, though this figure has decreased slightly from the previous study (then 75% answered in the positive, now 67%). Overall, locals concerns have decreased since the previous study. Then 50% were concerned about their physical health (now 36%) and 43% were concerned about their mental health (now 36%). Concerns about their financial situation remained stable (then 35%, now 36%).
•62% of respondents indicated that their income had remained stable over the past month. Conversely, 33% indicated that their income had decreased. (Of these, 19% indicated that it had slightly decreased while 14% indicated that it had reduced considerably).
•In terms of expenditure, 31% indicated that their expenditure had not altered over the past month. 35% indicated that their expenditure had decreased while 34% indicated that it had increased. A review of responses by age indicates that a higher percentage of those aged 65 and over indicated an increase in expenditure (half of those within this age bracket) than other age groups. Conversely, 57% of those falling within the 18 to 24 age bracket indicated a decrease in expenditure.
•With two-thirds responses, the general public is of the opinion that government should not start relaxing restrictive measures.
•By and large, the population agrees that schools should remain closed until the end of the current scholastic year.
•The general public does not think that the Government should open up the airport any time soon, with only 13% indicating that this should be done some time this year. 41% trust in the Government to decide when its best. 38% are of the opinion that the airport should only open up once a vaccine is available. Furthermore, the majority (76%) are not ready to make a trade off in their decision, should this imply an increase in unemployment. Even among those that answered in the positive (24%), those that believe the airport should re-open any time soon are minimal.
•43% of respondents are likely to change their outlook on life following COVID (of these 24% indicated that it was likely while 19% indicated that it was most likely). Conversely, 22% indicated that it was unlikely that their outlook on life to change.
A Business Blog for SMEs & Family Businesses 