The Hong Kong New Normal Tracking Study - Covid-19 Impact February 2022
The Hong Kong New Normal Tracking Study measures changes in attitudes and behaviour in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020. Highlights from February 2022 wave:
With the fifth outbreak of COVID-19 hitting Hong Kong since the start of the year, there has been a significant and unsurprising shift in how people adapt to restrictions and settle into new routines in the ‘acclimation’ phase. People are also prepared for new or revised restrictions on a day-to-day basis in the ‘preparation’ and ‘adjustment’ phases.
Consequently, concerns on the pandemic rose sharply, with 41% worried. This marks an 18% shift since the previous wave in December 2021. Other concerns have faded or remained at similar levels. 11% are concerned about their personal finances; overall health concerns stayed the same at 15%.
It is important to note that more than 1 in 3 people are making substantial changes to their daily routines around the pandemic and local restrictions. Three out of 4 people are now taking into account the impacts of COVID-19 when they think about where they will go, who they will meet, and what they will do each day. Over the past 4 weeks (at the time of the study), nearly half (49%) have purchased groceries online whilst only 56% (down from 70% previously) have visited shopping malls. In addition, only 26% have socialized with friends and family in person.
The satisfaction towards the government and health services has also seen a dramatic drop. Only 24% believe health services in Hong Kong are well prepared to cope with the impact of COVID-19, and 28% believing the Hong Kong government has done a good job of telling people how to prepare.
Financially, 42% of people are expecting their income to reduce or have seen a reduction in their income. Only 10% believe their income will increase or have increased. More than 2 in 3 people saw their incomes drop by up to 20% in 2021, and a similar proportion expect the drop of the same magnitude this year.
About the Hong Kong New Normal Tracking Study
The Hong Kong New Normal Tracking Study measures changes in consumer behavior across multiple categories, in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Study is in field monthly since April 2020, and quarterly since June 2021. Additional markets/ questions are available on demand.
