01.04.2020
Ukraine in quarantine: monitoring of public sentiment
- The results of the surveys conducted by Rating Group during the fieldwork dates of Wave I (March 25–27) and Wave II (March 28–30) showed that an absolute majority of respondents perceive the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine as a real threat. Compared to the beginning of quarantine, the share of those who see such a threat increased from 73% to 87%.
- Fifty-one percent of respondents consider coronavirus a real threat personally for themselves and their families, while 41% hold the opposite view. Over the past two weeks, opinions on this issue have changed only slightly. Residents of the western and central regions of the country and urban residents more often spoke about the existence of such a threat.
- When assessing the level of coronavirus incidence in Ukraine on a five-point scale, 28% of respondents rated it as very high or high, 34% as medium, and 32% as low or minimal. Higher assessments of incidence were more often given by residents of the South, urban residents, and representatives of the older age group.
- Assessing the situation with incidence in their own region, respondents perceive it as less threatening than at the national level. Only 13% of respondents stated that the level of incidence in their locality is high, while 65% consider it low or minimal. This opinion prevails among residents of eastern regions and rural areas.
- Opinions regarding the possible introduction of a state of emergency in Ukraine are divided: 49% would support such an initiative, while 43% would not.
- At the same time, 83% support a possible ban on mass events, strikes, and rallies under a state of emergency. Seventy-one percent do not object to possible restrictions on entry to and exit from certain cities and regions, 65% support possible restrictions on vehicle movement and inspections, and 58% support the possible introduction of a curfew in cities. At the same time, regarding the possible granting of the state the right to forcibly seize property from legal entities and individuals under a state of emergency, an absolute majority of respondents, 80%, are opposed to such measures, while only 14% support them.
- Seventy-four percent believe that fines should be introduced for people who violate quarantine restrictions, while 19% are against such an initiative.
- Fifty-eight percent of respondents consider the measures introduced by the authorities to combat coronavirus to be optimal. Twenty-eight percent believe that they are too lenient, and only 6% are convinced that the measures are too strict.
- Thirty-four percent believe that the authorities should return all citizens home after the closure of borders, 24% believe that returns should take place selectively, while another 34% believe that no one should be returned at all after border closure.
- Fifty-three percent are convinced that the authorities downplay the situation when providing information about the spread of coronavirus, 21% believe that the information is objective, and 11% think that it is exaggerated.
- When assessing the information presented by Ukrainian mass media, 38% believe that they downplay the situation, 23% consider the coverage objective, and 19% believe that the information is exaggerated. Twenty-one percent were unable to answer this question.
- Fifty-six percent of respondents consider the reaction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the threat of coronavirus spread in Ukraine to be effective, while 30% give opposite assessments. Regarding the Ministry of Health, 38% consider its actions effective and 46% ineffective. As for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 37% consider its actions effective, 33% ineffective, and 30% were unable to assess them. Regarding the effectiveness of the actions of Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, 44% of respondents found it difficult to answer this question, 30% assessed his actions as effective, and 26% as ineffective. Over the past two weeks, assessments of the effectiveness of the actions of these institutions in responding to the coronavirus threat have increased.
- Almost 70% consider the introduced quarantine to be effective, while one quarter give opposite assessments. Residents of the South and East, younger respondents, and men somewhat more often consider quarantine measures ineffective. At the same time, almost 80% of respondents support the Government’s decision to extend quarantine until April 24, 2020.
- Two thirds reported that they had a job before the introduction of quarantine. Among them, 35% stated that they continue working in the usual mode after restrictions were introduced, 29% work remotely, 32% are on unpaid leave, and only 4% lost their jobs.
- More than half of respondents stated that they limited leaving their homes due to quarantine. One third reported partial restrictions, and only one in ten stated that they do not comply with quarantine. Residents of the Center, women, and representatives of the oldest age group more often reported complete self-isolation.
- Despite quarantine, 18% of respondents reported leaving home several times a day and 31% once a day. At the same time, 43% stated that they leave home only once every few days, and 7% try not to leave at all. Higher levels of restriction on leaving home were more often reported by urban residents, women, and the oldest respondents.
- The main reason for going outside cited by respondents was going to the store for groceries, mentioned by 73%. Twenty-eight percent go out due to work, and the same share due to visiting a pharmacy. About 5–7% reported going outside to walk with children, engage in sports, or walk pets. About 3–4% leave home to meet friends and acquaintances or to visit a doctor.
- Fifty-two percent stated that they are ready to stay at home without going outside for more than five days if a ban on leaving home is introduced. Twelve percent said they could stay at home for four to five days, 20% for two to three days, and 10% for no more than one day. The latter group is most common among men, poorer and wealthier respondents. At the same time, among the wealthier group there is also the largest share of those ready to remain in home quarantine for more than five days.
- Almost 60% of respondents stated that their savings would last less than one month if income stopped. Sixteen percent said their savings would last up to two months, 7% up to three months, 6% up to six months, and 3% up to one year or more.
- Forty-two percent stated that they have protective masks in sufficient quantity, 39% have them but in insufficient quantity, and 19% do not have them at all. Fifty-seven percent reported having disinfectants at home in sufficient quantity, 29% have them but insufficiently, and 14% do not have them. Protective gloves in sufficient quantity are available to 40% of respondents, insufficiently to 23%, and not available at all to 37%. Protective and disinfecting products are more often used by residents of western and central regions, urban residents, women, and younger respondents. Those who have them in sufficient quantity use them more frequently.
- Three quarters of respondents worry that someone close to them may become ill with coronavirus, while concern for their own health is lower, with 58% worrying and 42% not worried.
- Almost 80% are concerned that Ukraine will face a prolonged economic crisis. More than two thirds worry that they will not be able to purchase necessary medicines. Almost half worry that they will not be able to buy necessary food, while 52% do not worry about this. Only 25% are concerned that they will have to cancel important events or trips, while three quarters are not worried about this.
- Forty-four percent rated their emotional state over the past week as calm, while 23% described it as tense. Higher levels of anxiety are recorded among women and older people. Eighty percent of respondents assessed their relationships with people they live with over the past week as calm, and only 8% as tense.
Methodology
- Audience: the population of Ukraine aged 18 and older in all regions, except the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea and Donbas. The sample is representative by age, gender, and type of settlement.
- Sample size: Wave I – 1,000 respondents (March 25–27, 2020), Wave II – 1,000 respondents (March 28–30, 2020).
- The margin of sampling error with a confidence level of 0.95 does not exceed 4%.
- Survey method: CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviews). Based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers.
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