As new cases of the Coronavirus emerge in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, YouGov’s ongoing tracker captures public sentiment around COVID-19 and shows how residents in the two countries are reacting to the rising number of infections.
The latest data reveals that 62% respondents in both the countries who were surveyed between 11th- 18th March said they are ‘very scared’ or ‘fairly scared’ about contracting the Coronavirus. 30% on the other hand are not very or not at all scared.
Although older people are believed to be the most vulnerable to this pandemic, a third of respondents in UAE and KSA aged 45+ years (34%) said they are either not very scared or not at all scared about getting infected.
Among the genders, a higher number of women than men in the two countries are fearful of acquiring the virus (67% vs 60%). Likewise, married residents with children are more worried than the single respondents (65% vs 58%).
Both locals and expats seem to be fearing the pandemic. In the UAE, Arab expats seem to be the most panic-stricken, with 69% of them saying they are very scared or fairly scared about contracting the virus. Emiratis are equally scared – at 67%. Fear among Asian and western expats is lower- at 61% each.
In KSA, expats are more afraid about getting the infection as compared to locals (68% expats vs 62% Saudis).
The widespread level of fear explains the vast majority of people taking some kind of safety precautions to protect themselves. The most common precaution has been to improve personal hygiene, such as washing hands more frequently or using sanitiser, which three-quarter residents (76%) are doing.
Almost as many (73%) avoid crowded places. Roughly half the respondents refrain from touching objects in public (57%) and avoid physical contact with tourists (49%).
Many wear a face mask in public (37%) and are avoiding consumption of raw or uncooked meat (32%). One in five have stopped going to work (20%).
Given the massive media coverage on the issue, it is not surprising to see that the vast majority (95%) of UAE and KSA residents are aware of the outbreak and have heard of either ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Wuhan virus’ or ‘COVID-19’.
Most (70%) feel well-informed about what to do if they suspect they have coronavirus. UAE residents tend to be more knowledgeable about handling this situation than KSA residents (74% vs 67%). But 18% of all respondents do not have enough information, with young adults being especially likely to feel this way (24% of 18-24 years old respondents).
Witnessing the wide scale frenzy around the outbreak, a quarter of respondents have stockpiled supplies in their house, although a majority (68%) haven’t done it yet.
Many people have modified their travel plans to avoid any risk of getting infected. 36% have already cancelled plans to travel overseas due to COVID-19, and 21% are delaying booking future travel. One in five (19%) are more cautious and are thinking of cancelling all future travel plans.
There are few (6%) who seem unperturbed and are planning to go ahead with their arranged overseas trips, while few others (4%) are actively looking to travel overseas or have already booked an overseas trip.
In the weeks to come, YouGov will continue to track the public’s attitudes and opinions on Coronavirus across the globe.
Data collected online by YouGov Omnibus among 2007 respondents in the UAE and Saudi Arabia between 11th and 18th March 2020 using YouGov’s panel of over 6 million people worldwide. Data is representative of the adult online population in each country.
© Press Release 2020Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
