Arab News survey reveals mixed feelings about post-lockdown life

The coronavirus disease (COVID19) pandemic has turned the world inside out and upside down, leaving people confused and feeling lost. With the end of the lockdown in sight most of us will return to our daily routines, but with a greater level of uncertainty about the future. On May 26, Saudi Arabia announced the easing of restrictions that had previously halted all social and economic activity across the country for more than two months. Domestic flights are due to resume on May 31, movement within cities and across city limits will be allowed and businesses are to reopen again gradually before a June 21 deadline when a nationwide curfew will be lifted.

Arab News carried out a survey to find out how people felt about the uncertainty of the current situation, if they felt hopeful that the coronavirus pandemic would end soon, if life would go back to normal, or if they felt hopeless and discouraged due to the uncertainty that comes with the crisis and having to adjust to a “new normal.”

A questionnaire was distributed among 90 people from different age groups. Participants were asked a series of questions that focused on how they felt about the next stages of post-lockdown life.

It is a difficult time and, though many of the people Arab News spoke to understand the measures put in place, their level of awareness has risen since the beginning of the pandemic. Throughout the lockdown Saudi authorities maintained a level of transparency to reassure the community and provide them with more answers than questions. Yet one question remains: What is going to happen next?

The majority of survey participants — 43.3 percent — were between the ages of 25 and 34, 31.1 percent were aged between 18 and 24 while 10 percent were 35 to 44 years old. Those between the age

HIGHLIGHTS

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Kingdom began easing curfew restrictions on May 26.

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Workers expect drastic changes in coming months.

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People want everybody to continue taking precautions.

of 45 and 54 made up 8.9 percent of the group, and 3.3 percent were above the age of 55 and below the age of 18.

Employees, who made up 35.6 percent of the survey’s participants, felt that drastic changes would take place in the coming months that could affect their job performance and possibly their incomes.

Fowzan Hashmi, a private sector worker, was among those who said he felt hopeless due to the repercussions of the pandemic. He said he