Americans looking forward to the end of COVID-19 restrictions

Washington, DC, March 4, 2021 — As states begin to lift coronavirus restrictions and more Americans receive vaccinations, a new Ipsos poll shows that the country is looking forward to leaving the pandemic in the past and returning to a sense of normalcy. With this sentiment comes the desire to see friends and family and enjoy public places.

Detailed Findings

Americans are most excited about an end to coronavirus restrictions and the ability to see those outside of their household.

• The most anticipated event is not thinking about coronavirus or social distancing, with 74% saying that they are looking forward this activity.
• Seventy-two percent of Americans look forward to not having to wear masks in public anymore.
• Americans are excited to see their family and friends, with over sixty percent saying they look forward to meeting with friends and family outside of their household (62%) and have dinner in restaurant with their friends.

Americans are eager to both travel and go to events in public.

• Fifty-six percent of Americans say they are look forward to going on holiday trips in the U.S. or abroad and going on spontaneous day trips. The difference in those currently doing these activities is important to note: only 7% of Americans are currently going on holiday trips, compared to 15% that are already going on day trips.
• Around half of Americans are looking forward to going to parties such as birthdays or weddings (56%), bars or restaurants (52%), indoor cinemas or theaters (52%), and large public gatherings such as sporting or music events (50%).

Americans with children are excited to get their children out of the house.

• Fifty-two percent of Americans with children are looking forward to taking their children to visit their grandparents.
• Half of Americans with children are looking forward to sending their children back to school, with another sixteen percent reporting that their child or children are already attending school in-person.

There is less excitement among Americans in regards to returning to “normal” work conditions.

• Among Americans that are currently employed, less than 40% are excited about seeing their work colleagues in person (38%), getting dressed in smart of stylish clothes (38%), and commuting to and from their place of work (27%).
• Much of this lack of excitement comes from the fact that many Americans are already doing these activities. Thirty-five percent say they are already commuting to and from their place of work, while 28% say they already see their work colleagues in person.

These sentiments are shared by both Americans and Britons at varying degrees.

About the Study

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted between March 2-3, 2021. For this survey, a sample of 1,005 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii was interviewed online in English.

The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing a sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2018 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Posthoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education.

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=1,005, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=+/-5.0 percentage points).

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Mallory Newall
Director, U.S., Public Affairs
Ipsos
+1 202 420-2014
[email protected]

Kate Silverstein
Media Relations Specialist, U.S., Public Affairs
Ipsos
+1 718 755-8829
[email protected]

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

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