Eng
Eng
Curfew and other regulations in everyday life that are focused on limiting the spread of virus and prevention still remain topical. After the end of critical second wave, regulations set in force by the government throughout Georgia are gradually lightened, but curfew after 9 p.m. still remains as a painful topic for Tbilisi residents among restriction of the movement of public transport on holidays and online format of educational institutions.
After severe epidemiological situation, virus outbreak and increased death rate as well as high pressure on the healthcare system that occurred during the second wave, the government does not hurry to completely lighten regulations set in force.
ACT conducted another interesting research on this topic covering the residents of Tbilisi. As a result of the study, it turns out that as assessed by Tbilisi residents, in the process of managing epidemiological situation the government is not completely effective, particular criticism came from 18-34 year-old residents of the capital city, their assessment of the government’s effectiveness is 5.25 on 10-point scale. In addition, every second (51%) respondent from this age group believes that the measures taken by the government are too strict compared to the severity of the epidemiological situation.
Loyalty of citizens in assessing effectiveness of the government in managing the pandemic situation increases along with the age, 55+ Tbilisi residents believe that the government effectively manages epidemiological situation (6.12) and measures taken by the government are relevant to the epidemiological condition. Overall, Tbilisi residents rated effectiveness of the government with 5.75 points, while opinions split when assessing the strictness point – almost half of respondents (45%) believe that measures taken by the government are relevant, while the other part (43%) declare that measures are too strict compared to the severity of situation. This assessment does not coincide with Georgia’s rating on the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker, where the country is on the second step (75-85) of strictness on 100-point scale.
What do Tbilisi residents believe is the most important regulation in the process of fight against the pandemic and which regulation is the hardest to fulfill for them?
As believed by inquired respondents, top three most important regulations against the pandemic are: 1. Restriction of entertainment and cultural events and ceremonies (6.56), 2. Restriction on international flights (6.50) and 3. Restriction on visiting restaurants and food places (6.32). The picture is different for different generations – in 35-55 age group, restriction on visiting restaurants is replaced by the curfew, in addition, this regulation appeared to be lighter than others for 55+ Tbilisi residents, while the most painful regulation is restriction (6.06) of public transportation.
Residents in 34-55 age group believe that the hardest regulation is closure of kindergartens, schools and universities and switching to online format, because logically, number of parents is prevalent in this generation who have to personally cope with this regulation. This generation also painfully perceive restriction on international flights which is also explained by active travelling. Among all the regulations set in force by the government, millennials name regulations associated with socialization as the most important restriction, this imply restriction of entertainment and cultural events, international flights and visiting restaurants.
The study clarifies that youth agrees with parents’ generation on restriction of study process at educational institutions and also are disappointed because of the curfew which is related to active night life lived by this generation. In addition, 18-34 year-old youngsters perceive the said regulation as less effective in the fight against the pandemic similar to restriction of domestic transport and winter resorts in the winter. Such attitude demonstrates that young people do not perceive those three regulations as effective and have high expectations they will be abolished soon. They think that in active fight against the pandemic, it is important to set regulations on entertainment and cultural events, international flights and educational institutions.
The government of Georgia already announces additional relieve of restrictions, presumably, the country’s index on Strictness Tracker will change from March.
The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 414 adult residents of Tbilisi on February 16-18 of 2020. Utilized method – telephone interviewing. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected people’s lifestyle and financial condition. According to the study conducted in the end of 2020, in the month of December, 60% of respondents reported on worsened financial condition of their family. 34% of respondents believe that their financial condition has not changed, while 3% reported on improved financial situation.
Cutting costs is noticeable in the perspective of monthly expenses, during the pandemic, 47% of respondents spend less than before the pandemic. 30% of respondents spend the same amount of money as they used to before the pandemic and 23% of respondents now spend more than before the pandemic.
It is worth mentioning that the majority of respondents – 34% now spend more on food and beverages. 27% of respondents now spend more on household essentials (detergents, hygiene, self-care items), as for the healthcare costs (doctor, tests, medications), the 27% of respondents now spend more. the majority of respondents (75%) explain that they have to spend more because prices of products went up.
Every second respondent now spends less on transportation (transportation fee, fuel). As for large purchases (apartment, summer house, furniture, car, household appliances), six out of ten potential buyers avoid making large purchases.
The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 403 adult residents of Tbilisi on December 11-13 of 2020. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%. Utilized method – telephone interviewing.
Behavior of Tbilisi residents has drastically changed in terms of various activities during the pandemic in 2020. We were interested to find out how has the behavior changed compared to March 14-15 of 2020 as the regulations became stricter.
According to the study conducted in December of 2020, the majority of inquired respondents changed their behavior in many directions, such as: 51% of respondents cut down and 12% of them completely stopped using cash; 36% of respondents stopped visiting parks and squares; as for physical activity (working out at home, in the street, sportsground), only 22% of inquired respondents quit this activity.
According to the study conducted in March of 2020, 40% of inquired respondents stopped visiting others while share of such respondents was 55% as of December 11-13 of 2020. Respectively, as of March, 36% of respondents do not invite guests at home any more, while number of such respondents is 56% in December.
As for attending birthday parties and funerals, respondents were even less active in this activity in December of 2020. 43% of respondents in March and 60% of respondents inquired in December reported on carrying out this activity less frequently or not at all.
*The inquiry was conducted through random sampling with 403 adult residents of Tbilisi on December 11-13 of 2020. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%. Utilized method – telephone interviewing.
It is quite interesting what kind of mood Tbilisi residents have towards New Year during the pandemic. We asked our respondents to assess their mood and feeling on 10-point scale where “0” means “I don’t have festive mood at all” while “10” means - “I have very festive mood”.
As of December 11-13 of 2020, festive mood of Tbilisi residents is assessed by 5.15 points. Compared to the last year, 66% of inquired respondents feel less festive, while 10% of respondents feel more festive.
According to the study conducted in December, New Year’s preparations and behavior have significantly changed compared to the past year. 61% of inquired respondents spend less on preparing festive dishes than last year, in addition, 43% of respondents spend less on Christmas gifts and 32% reported on spending less on Christmas decorations.
* Survey was conducted through random sampling among 403 adult residents of Tbilisi on December 11-13 of 2020. Statistical error of data does not exceed 4.9%. Utilized method – telephone interviewing.