More optimism among Slovenians as epidemic ends, concerns remain

Ljubljana, 4 June - Slovenians are much more upbeat about the coronavirus situation in the first days since the end of the epidemic but more than a half of them are still concerned, shows the latest survey by pollster Valicon. Most respondents know the rules for wearing face masks and most expect the second wave of infections this year.

Ljubljana
Railways operator Slovenske Železnice presents new passenger travel regime.
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About 75% of the respondents assessed the situation in the first days after the epidemic as positive, an increase from 64% a week ago.

The share of those describing the situation as unpleasant and tiring decreased from 31% to 22%, while the share of those describing it as normal given the circumstances rose from 27% to 35%.

About 53% of respondents are concerned.

Just 31% of respondents think government measures to prevent the spread of the virus are too harsh, which is down 11 percentage points from last week. More than half find them just right.

Some 27% of respondents find the government measures to help the economy "rather suitable", while 15% find them "rather unsuitable". Another 58% think they are "partly suitable and party unsuitable".

For the first time since 23 March, the share of idled workers dropped bellow 10%, so now only one in 12 employees is on furlough. The share of workers who fear for their job dropped from 26% to 19%, and the share of those expressing concern for the economy in general decreased from 69% to 62%.

The respondents showed they are relatively well acquainted with the rules for wearing face masks, with 80% of them knowing the basic rule of obligatory masks in closed public spaces. Meanwhile, 3% said they thought masks were not obligatory anywhere any more and 13% that this is now a personal decision.

More than two-thirds or respondents (68%) expect a new wave of infections before the end of the year. One in five think it will probably not happen and 6% are convinced it will not happen.

Valicon conducted the online survey among its panel of permanent respondents. It involved 516 people between 2 and 4 June.

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© STA, 2020