Economic and contagion worries persist despite no active cases in Tasmania
The majority of Tasmanians are strictly adhering to social distancing, while a high proportion are only practising health advice ‘most of the time’, according to a new survey. This comes as fears for job prospects and the economy remain. Details >>
Tasmania
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MORE than 60 per cent of Tasmanians are still strictly adhering to social distancing, the latest EMRS survey shows while 36 per cent say they practice the health advice “most of the time”.
The survey also shows one in 10 hospitality workers fear catching COVID-19 from customers or surfaces.
The survey, commissioned by Federal Group, was conducted on July 4-6 and is the third carried out since the pandemic hit in March. As of Sunday, Tasmania had recorded 66 days without a new case of COVID-19 and 38 days without an active case.
The survey also shows Tasmanians are worried about the impact of the pandemic on the job prospects of young people and the impact on local businesses and the wider state economy.
Fourteen per cent of those surveyed were also very concerned about their own finances and how their family will survive.
Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna said the survey results demonstrated that although the Victorian outbreak had slightly increased the concerns of Tasmanians – especially among those in the hospitality sector – people remained confident about the way the crisis was being managed.
“The primary concerns of Tasmanians when it comes to COVID-19 is the impact on jobs, local businesses and the Tasmanian economy,” Mr Hanna said.
“The net concern remains very high for these three factors: jobs, local businesses and the local economy.
“As the pandemic has been brought under control quickly in Tasmania, and we appreciate the advantages of being an island, concern has fast shifted away from personal issues to how we can make sure our people can keep jobs and that we create enough job opportunities in the future.
“These concerns are particularly keenly felt in tourism and hospitality.
“When asked about how Tasmania might best recover from the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions, it was clear that they support additional investment and support in these sectors whose businesses were shut for many months (and some remain shut).”
Originally published as Economic and contagion worries persist despite no active cases in Tasmania