With more than 80% of its population fully vaccinated, Singapore is ready to enter a new phase in its reopening plans.
Though a detailed strategy has yet to take shape, one thing is sure: those who have chosen to not get the COVID-19 jab will find it more and more difficult to go about their day-to-day.
From workplace restrictions to leisure constraints, Singapore seems to be moving towards a clear vaccinated-unvaccinated segmentation of society.
How do Singaporeans feel about this? Our data shows that 76% of Singaporeans find it ‘fair’ to make a distinction between people based on their vaccinated status when it comes to engaging in certain activities or visiting certain places.
At 29%, older Singaporeans (those with the highest levels of vaccine hesitancy) are likelier to find such restrictions unfair, while 83% of younger Singaporeans (namely, Gen Zers) find them fair.
Unsurprisingly, similar trends are observed when it comes to the government’s plans to move to a new normal in which COVID-19 is treated more like the flu once a critical mass of the population is vaccinated (putting an end to country-wide lockdowns/circuit breakers, for example).
Some 83% of Singaporeans support such a shift, with a high of 91% for Gen Zers and 86% for Millennials. Interestingly, Gen Xers (21%) are likelier than Boomers (18%) to be against this approach – presumably out of concern for their yet-to-be-vaccinated school-age children.
These differences may yet intensify in the coming months. We’ve seen from some controversial comments made on social media that the unvaccinated feel increasingly discriminated against. And conspiracy theories are spreading on Telegram groups.
Could disagreements over this topic escalate into civil unrest as has been the case in many countries? Unlikely – but not impossible. As PM Lee stated recently in his annual NDR address, overcoming these issues will require Singaporeans to put their differences aside and look to the future together as one.
Want more information on Singaporeans’ opinions and habits in the new normal? Contact us at bizdesign@blackbox.com.sg to access our database of longitudinal trends.
Author: Blackbox Research Team
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