Although disruptive, most South Africans agree with the current (and extended) lockdown. Post the president's announcement on 9 April 2020, BMi Research conducted a study using Borderless Access online panels. A total of 509 people were interviewed nationally over the Easter Weekend. At least 95% of this sample agreed with the original 21-day lockdown and 89% agreed with the two-week lockdown extension.
The COVID-19 virus continues to spread locally and globally as countries around the world struggle to ‘flatten the curve’. South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the lockdown was having a positive impact in slowing the rate of infection and we must now ‘sit tight’ for a further two weeks of national lockdown. The survey also confirmed that sentiment towards the presidency is positive with an average 78.6% confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa post his latest address.
What impact has the lockdown had on your Easter weekend plans?
The survey investigated the impact that the lockdown had on South Africa’s Easter Weekend plans. At least 33% of those surveyed said they needed to cancel plans to spend time with their families. However, 33% said the lockdown extension had no impact on them at all. A total of 19% said they could not attend religious services and 15% needed to cancel travel plans, perhaps leading directly to fewer road accidents over the popular SA long weekend.
This is the first Easter I can remember when we were not watching the death toll on our South African roads. Instead of watching the number of accidents on the evening news, South Africans entered the Easter Weekend with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address.
In today's world, businesses will need to continue to track necessary information in whatever way works most effectively and efficiently. Digital online research is the way to do this – it was before the pandemic, it is crucial at this pivotal moment in history, and it will certainly be the future of the market research and other industries alike.
You can reach Borderless Access here to help you with your digital insights transition.
*Of the 509 panel participants, 100% were South African and living in South Africa during the lockdown. At least 39% were in Gauteng, 23% in the Western Cape and 13% in KwaZulu-Natal. 63% were female, 70% were aged 18-44 years old, 35% were black and 50% were white. The sample was distributed equally across income groups.
Originally published on Biz Community by BMi Research
BMi Research is a long-standing full-service research house specialising in qualitative and quantitative research solutions. With multi-sector experience, the BMi Research team understands industrial and manufacturing research, wholesale to retail intelligence and shopper insights. Capable of delivering both tactical and strategic data through sophisticated reporting platforms, clients are able to realise the required return on research investment. Contact:
Kevin Kruger: kevin@bmi.co.za or 082 450 2979
Jenni-Ruth Coggin: jenni@bmi.co.za or 076 170 6989
Cindi Collett: cindi@bmi.co.za or 082 821 4971
Danie Botha: danie@bmi.co.za or 083 271 7720
www.bmi.co.za
