More than 40 per cent of workers lost income over Covid-19 crisis, poll says
More than a third of people – 42 per cent – lost income because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a poll revealed yesterday.
The Global Research poll showed that 27 per cent of those surveyed had been laid off or had their hours reduced and that 8 per cent lost their jobs.
Leslie Steede, the firm’s director of research, said: “Covid-19 has had a serious impact on Bermuda residents’ income and employment.”
But he added: “Quite encouragingly, two-thirds of residents would be willing to take an approved vaccine.
“Increased education and confidence on the vaccine, and how it can control the spread of the pandemic, could help to further increase residents’ willingness to take an approved vaccine.”
But just over a third of people surveyed – 34 per cent – said they would not be willing to get vaccinated.
A total of 15 per cent said they would take the vaccine as soon as it was available, but 28 per cent said they would hold off for between six months and a year and 22 per cent said they would wait more than a year.
The poll found that people felt the biggest problem the island faced was the economy, with almost half – 49 per cent – listing that as their biggest worry.
Almost 30 per cent said unemployment was their main concern.
A total of 39 per cent said a stronger economy should be the new Government’s top priority and 19 per cent said tackling the jobless figures and adding new jobs should be the number one task.
Education was rated the biggest problem by 11 per cent and 13 per cent said the schools should be the top priority.
Pollsters also found that more than half of those surveyed – 52 per cent – said that non-essential travel overseas should be banned during the pandemic.
Less than a quarter – 23 per cent – said they did not plan to go abroad inside the next six months.
The survey also showed that 63 per cent of people planned to spend less this Christmas – although 36 per cent planned to spend the same as usual and one per cent said they would spend more.
Global Research polled 405 residents aged 18 and over between November 13 and 19.
Results were weighted to take account the island’s population in terms of gender, age and race.
The margin of error was said to plus or minus 4.9 per cent.
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