On the eve of the reopening of some shops that were closed due to the pandemic, a survey conducted by statistician Dr Vincent Marmara shows that while people were not in total lockdown they found ways to spend time at home. The survey showed that one in four Maltese were not significantly affected and more or less kept up with their normal routine.

The survey also shed light on what restrictions the public wanted removed first, and it appears that the public’s choice reflected the age of respondents taking the survey.

While in recent weeks streets have been free of cars, squares free of people and several workplaces almost at a complete standstill, a survey commissioned by TVM and conducted by statistician Dr Vincent Marmara, showed a fairly large swathe of people who were barely affected by the restrictions imposed by the Public Health Authorities.

This after the survey found that one in four Maltese continued with their routine, going to work or working from home.

In reply to how they were spending their time during COVID-19 pandemic, 25.4% answered that nothing had changed.

Dr Marmara said that in this period people had thrown themselves in various other activities.

“You have 15% of the population who said they were spending more quality time with their family and children, in fact they said they are spending more time with their children as well. 9% of the population said they were spending more time doing housework such as maintenance, painting, 7% who are watching television and various films, 6% are cooking and 5% are studying.”

“The routine of young people aged between 26-35 was the least affected, while people aged 36-45 found quality time with their children.’

43% of 26-35-year-olds answered “Nothing has changed”
27% of 36-45 year olds answered “Quality time with family”

Asked what restrictions they wanted removed first, almost three in ten respondents wanted the suspension of medical appointments removed while 26% wished that stores would re-open with a number of restrictions. Nearly eight percent said they wanted to reopen hair salons, while seven percent wanted to restore visiting hours and visits to hospital and nursing homes.

What restrictions do you want removed first?
28.2% – Measures related to medical appointments
14.8% – Department stores
11.2% – Small shops
7.6% – Hairdressers
7.2% – Hospital visits

Dr Marmara noted that medical appointments were on the minds of 43 percent of those aged 36-45. On the other hand, 13% of people between the ages of 16 and 25 wanted to open restaurants.

43% aged 26-35: “Measures related to health appointments
13% aged 16-25: “Removal of restrictions on restaurants”

Older people aged 66 or over seem to be most annoyed by the restrictions on going to the shops.

” While 26% of the people mentioned restrictions regarding both large and small shops the majority to mention this option were the elderly – where you had 43% of those aged 66 who said they should remove the restrictions in both large and small stores. ”

98.8% responded that they agreed with the restrictions in place. Overall, the survey found that almost 99% of the population agreed that restrictions had been put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The survey was conducted between April 27 and May 2 with the participation of five hundred people.

Report: Melvic Zammit, Date: 3rd May 2020

Source: https://www.tvm.com.mt/en/news/survey-1-in-4-maltese-were-not-affected-by-restrictions-imposed-by-authorities/