Amid coronavirus, majority Pakistanis do not intend to buy new stuff on Eid ul Fitr, mainly belong from lower SECs and rural areas.

According to a latest IPSOS survey titled: COVID-19¦Changing perceptions and behaviours of Pakistanis, quite worryingly, after attaining universal awareness of COVID-19 in April, Pakistanis seem to start forgetting it. Similarly, perceived level of threat associated with COVID-19 and preventive measures' compliance is going down significantly since April.

Despite high awareness, only one-half of Pakistanis feel concerned about the outbreak and there's a decline in people's perception of a 'complete lockdown' across all provinces. More drop in Sindh and Balochistan.

According to the survey, four in five Pakistanis think that economic activity and businesses should reopen even if the virus is not fully contained which is highest among all 15 surveyed countries. Similarly, four in five expect things to return back to normal by June and are quite optimistic that economy will recover quickly once the lockdown is over. However, interestingly, like other countries, majority of Pakistanis feels nervous about leaving homes when businesses re-open and travels resume.

Four in five think COVID-19 will negatively affect their jobs or businesses. But majority of Pakistanis seems unlikely to learn any new skill during lockdown period.

Seven in 10 Pakistanis think they will become closer to Family and friends/relatives as a result of COVID-19 crisis.

According to the survey, 50% Pakistanis offering Traweeh at homes, and 30% going to mosques. Albeit limited knowledge of precise SOPs for mosques, 80% Pakistani believe that SOPs in mosques, are being followed.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan