Social Activity Measure - March 1st - 9th 2022
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Social Activity Measure
March 1 – 9 2022
st thABOUT THE RESEARCH The Social Activity Measure (SAM) is a behavioural study that records the public response to the risk of COVID-19 infection over time. Designed by the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit (BRU), SAM is an anonymous, interactive, online study that surveys people about their recent activity. The study offers insight into where and how risks of COVID-19 transmission arise. SAM aims to inform policy regarding the opening of parts of the economy and society, while keeping COVID-19 under control. The research was designed by the BRU in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach, which funds the work. The survey is completely anonymous. Where comparisons between survey rounds are highlighted, they are statistically significant. TIMING This slide deck presents results from a nationally representative sample of 1,000 people aged 18 and over who participated in the study between March 1st and 9th 2022. Data were collected six weeks after the lifting of the majority of public health restrictions. The mask mandate was lifted on February 28th (days before data collection); however, mask wearing continued to be advised on public transport and in healthcare settings. The previous wave of SAM coincided with a period of bad weather including multiple storms and recorded some declines in social activity. Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 2
Total locations visited
5.0
4.5
There was no significant change
4.0 in locations visited either over
3.5 the previous week or the
previous day.
Total locations
3.0 week
2.5 yesterday
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar
Feb
May
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Sep
4/1-11/1
Oct
Nov
Jan
Apr
Dec
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 3Locations visited (previous week)
100 30
90
25
80
70
20
60
% %
50 15
40
10
30
20
5
10
0 0
4/1 - 11/1
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
1/3-9/3
Jan
Feb
Oct
Dec
Jun
Jul
Aug
Apr
Nov
Mar
May
4/1 - 11/1
Sep
Dec
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
1/3-9/3
Jan
Feb
Oct
Jun
Jul
Aug
Apr
Nov
Mar
May
Shop/business Transport Outdoor Medical Exercise Indoor
Work Other home Café/pub/restaurant Event School/College Hotel/B&B
Visits to other homes and use of transport were significantly lower than the previous wave. The previous decline in visits
to medical facilities recovered and there was a significant increase in visits to hotels compared to the previous wave. Note
that ‘Exercise’ relates to visits to exercise facilities and not other activities like walking or running.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 4Locations visited (yesterday)
50
45 14
40 12
35 10
30
8
% 25 %
20 6
15 4
10
2
5
0 0
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
4/1 - 11/1
Jun
Jul
1/3-9/3
Oct
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
4/1 - 11/1
Jun
Jul
1/3-9/3
Oct
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Shop/business Transport (all) Transport (public) Medical Exercise
Outdoor Work Indoor Event School/College
Other home Café/pub/restaurant Hotel/B&B
There were significant declines in visits to cafés and pubs, whereas significant increases were
observed in attendance at schools/colleges, events, medical facilities, and work.
5
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the TaoiseachHome Visits
Proportion who had visitors or visited another household (previous day)
35
30
25
The dip in home visits
20 observed in late February
Any visit
% recovered, although the
Social visit
15 change was not significant.
Social visit (close contact)
10 Non-social (e.g. care, professional)
5
0
Mar
Feb
May
4/1-11/1
Jun
Jul
Sep
1/3-9/3
Oct
Nov
Jan
Apr
Dec
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 6National and international travel
18
16
The previous decline in
14 inter-county travel
12 recovered and travel to
% Northern Ireland
10
Inter-county Travel (24hrs) increased compared to
8 the previous wave.
NI Travel (past week)
6
4 Travel Off Island (past week)
2
0
Mar
Feb
May
Jun
Jul
Sep
4/1-11/1
1/3-9/3
Oct
Nov
Jan
Apr
Dec
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 7Close contacts
Close contact in past 24 hours
45
40
35
30
%
25
20
15
10
5
0
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
4/1-11/1
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
The proportion of people who had a close contact the previous day increased significantly in this
round of SAM and is now at its highest since SAM started at 42.5%. The proportion has trended
slowly upwards following the initial step-jump when restrictions lifted.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 8Number of close contacts
Mean number of close contacts among those with at least one
8
7 Among those who had a close
6.2
6.3 6.2
6.5 contact the previous day, the
6 5.6 5.5 5.3 5.6
5.25.0 5.4
5.7 5.7 5.6 mean number of close
5 4.3
5.3 contacts increased. The
average number of close
4 Close Contacts contacts without a mask also
(With no masks) rose significantly. Both are at
3 their highest since SAM began.
2
1
Sep
Feb
Oct
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Apr
Nov
4/1-11/1
Mar
May
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 9Number of people met
People from other households met in past 48hrs
5.00
4.50 The average number of
4.00 people met remains on an
3.50 upward trend since January,
3.00 however wave-on-wave
Mean
2.50 comparisons tend to be non-
2.00 significant.
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
Nov
Dec
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
4/1 - 11/1
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
Sep
Feb
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 10Close contacts - locations
45 45
All With no masks
40 40
35 35
30 30
All
25 25
% In a home
20 20
In work
15 Outdoors 15
Hospitality venue
10 10
Other
5 5
0 0
Mar
Feb
May
4/1-11/1
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Sep
Oct
Nov
Jan
Apr
Dec
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Mar
Feb
May
4/1-11/1
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Sep
Oct
Nov
Apr
Dec
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
There was a significant increase in the proportion of the population who had a close contact in
total and without masks, and both are at their highest since SAM started. Significant increases
of close contacts (with and without masks) were at work and other locations.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 11Masks in Retail and on Public Transport
100
% who visited shops/used public transport
There was a sharp drop in mask-wearing in
90
retail settings and on public transport
80 following the lifting of the mask mandate
70 on Feb 28th. (Note that masks continued to
60 be advised on public transport and in
healthcare settings.)
50
The drop is sharpest among reports that
40 staff (in retail only) and all other
30 customers/passengers wore a mask.
20 However, almost two in three people (65%)
report that they continue to wear a mask
10 in these settings.
0 Note that this analysis is heavily weighted
towards retail (90:10) as there are more
18/2-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
01/3-09/3
May
Nov
Dec
Mar
4/1-11/1
Jan
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Feb
Apr
Oct
observations, but the trend is similar when
both settings are analysed separately.
Own (All) Others Staff (Retail Only)
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 12Mitigation
Frequency of mitigative behaviours (wearing a mask, keeping 2m, sanitising
hands) The previously recorded increase
70 in the proportion of people very
often/always engaging in
60 mitigative behaviours (keeping
distance, washing hands, wearing
50 masks) returned to early February
levels. There was a sharp increase
40 in the proportion saying that they
% Rarely/Never (0-49%)
rarely/never engage in such
30 Sometimes (50-66%)
behaviours which is now at its
Regularly (67-82%)
highest since SAM started. This
20 Very often/Always (83-100%)*
change is likely driven by the
change in requirements to wear a
10
mask. There was no significant
change in the proportion reporting
0
*included in this group are those that they sometimes or regularly
Nov
Dec
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
4/1-11/1
Sep
Feb
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
who did not leave their home or
have visitors the previous day. engage in mitigative behaviours.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 13Worry
Jan Feb Mar
9.0
45 42.3 42.4 42.1
8.0 40
34.5
35
Score out of 10
32.8
7.0 31.2
30 26.7
24.8
6.0
% adults
25 23.3
5.0 20
15
4.0 10
3.0 5
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
May
Nov
Dec
Mar
Jan
4/1-11/1
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Feb
Apr
Oct
0
Low (1-4) Moderate (5-7) High (8-10)
Worry
Overall worry about COVID-19 has remained stable since late January. One-in-four people remain highly worried.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 14Worry
6.0
5.5
catching COVID-19
5.0
friends/family
healthcare system
4.5
cases
global
4.0
economy
restrictions returning
3.5
4/1-11/1
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
5/10-12/10
3/11-10/11
16/11/23/11
30/11-7/12
9/12-16/12
19/10-26/10
1/3-9/3
Most individual sources of worry have remained stable. The rise in worry about the economy observed in late February fell
back to early February levels.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 15Wellbeing
5.6 6.00
5.4
5.2 5.50
60+
5.0
Score (1 to 7)
60+*
4.8 5.00 40-59
4.6 40-59*
4.4 4.50 18-39
18-39*
4.2
* = recorded
4.0 4.00 after Jan 22nd
Apr
Aug
Nov
Dec
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Jan
Oct
Mar
May
Jun
Jul
4/1 - 11/1
Feb
Sep
18/1 - 25/1
1/3-9/3
announcement
Self-reported wellbeing increased significantly in this round of SAM, and has reached its highest since last summer. The rise in
wellbeing is driven by a significant increase among the youngest age cohort. The dip in wellbeing among the middle-aged cohort
observed following the lifting of restrictions recovered in the last wave of SAM and remains stable.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 16Wellbeing and Exercise
No Walk/Run Prev Day Walk/Run Prev Day
Walked, ran or cycled yesterday
5.3
60
5.2 5.2
50 5.1 5.1
5.1 5.0 5.1
40 38.7 5 5.0
% population
Wellbeing
4.9 4.8 4.9
30 4.9 4.9 4.8
4.8 4.9
20 4.7 4.7 4.7
10 4.6
4.5
0
4.4
Apr
Aug
Nov
Dec
4/1-11/1
Oct
18/2-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-18/2
01/3-09/3
Mar
May
Jun
Jul
Feb
Sep
The proportion of the population who reporting going for a walk, run or cycle in their local area recovered following the period of bad
weather in late February but remains significantly lower than March 2021 (left chart). The rise in wellbeing in this wave is observed
among those who recently exercised as well as those who haven’t, but the gap in wellbeing between these groups remains.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 17Mental Health vs. Pre-Pandemic
40
4.4 37.4 36.7
34.4 34.9
4.3 35 33.3 33.1 33.9 33
32.4 32.2 33
4.2
(1=much worse, 7 = much better)
Mental Health vs. Pre-Pandemic
30
4.1 25.9
4 25
% respondents
3.9
20
3.8
3.7 15
3.6 10
3.5
5
3.4
3.3 0
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
Jun
Jul
Jan
Oct
Feb
Sep
01/3-09/3
Feb
Dec Jan Feb 01/3-09/3
Worse (1-3) Same (4) Better (5-7)
The improvement in wellbeing is also observed when people are asked about their mental health compared to before the pandemic.
The average response increased significantly in this round, driven by a 20% (7%-pt) drop in those reporting their mental health is
worse compared to before the pandemic.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 18Quality of Relationships & Social Life
Family Friends Social Life (General)
(1=very much worse, 7 = very much better)
(1=very much worse, 7 = very much better)
4.6 3.7
3.5
4.4
3.3
4.2
Scaled to 1 SD
Scaled to 1SD
3.1
Quality
Quality
4.0
2.9
3.8
2.7
3.6 2.5
3.4 2.3
Judgements of the quality of relationships with friends and family continue to trend upwards, although the change since
the previous wave is non-significant. There was a significant improvement in the overall quality of social lives in this
wave, which has increased sharply (by almost half a standard deviation) since restrictions lifted.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 19Social Life and Wellbeing
Social Life is the Same/Better Social Life x Wellbeing
(vs. pre-pandemic)
60 Worse Same/Better
51.6 5.8
50
5.6
41.6
38.8 5.4
40 36.8
Scaled to 1 SD
33.3 33.0 5.2
Wellbeing
% adults
30
5
20 4.8
4.6
10 4.4
0
4.2
Perceived quality of social life is strongly linked to wellbeing. Part of the increase in general wellbeing may be linked to
the increase in the proportion of people perceiving their social life to be the same or better than before the pandemic,
which has increased by over 50% (19%-pts) since January.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 20Social Life and Wellbeing
Wellbeing by Social Life and Age Difference between Better and Worse SocLife Groups
SocLife Worse SocLife Better 1.6
6.5 1.4
Difference in wellbeing
6 1.2
Average wellbeing
Scaled to 1SD
1
Scaled to 2SDDs
5.5
0.8
5
0.6
4.5
0.4
4
0.2
3.5 0
u40 40-59 60+ u40 40-59 60+
The difference in wellbeing between those with a worse social life and those
with the same or better social life is larger among younger people.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 21Loneliness
All Went Alone
40
4.5 40
35.7
34.2 33.7
35 33.21 32.8 34.0 33.9
4.3 35
% adults often lonely (5-7 out of 7)
% adults very lonely (5-7 out of 7)*
30
(1=never, 7 = most of the time)
4.1 27.7 30
26.8 27.1
3.9 25
Recent Loneliness
25
3.7
3.7 3.7
20 20
3.6 3.6 3.6
3.5
3.4 15 15
3.3
10 10
3.1
2.9 5 5
2.7 0 0
Did Not Visit Visited Outdoor Location
*Note this analysis pools all responses since January.
Average frequency of loneliness also declined in this wave of SAM, with a significant drop in the percentage of the
population reporting feeling lonely most of the time (5-7 on the scale). Visiting outdoor locations (e.g. parks) is linked
with less frequent loneliness, even among those who visit outdoor locations alone.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 22Loneliness
45
40.5
38.9 39.3
40
36.8
35.7
35 Gender, age, socio-economic
31.8 31.9 31.9
% in group very often lonely
29.5 29.3 29.4 grade and nationality are strong
30 predictors of loneliness. Age
23.3
shows the strongest relationship,
25
with 40% of under 40s giving a
20 score of 5-7 out of 7 compared to
23% of those over 60.
15 Among workers, those who report
working from home report being
10
lonely more often than those not
5 working from home.
Note this analysis pools all
0 responses since January.
Men Women u40 40-59 60+ AB C1C2 DEF Irish Non-Irish Working Not WFH
From
Home
Gender Age Socio-Economic Grade Nationality Workers
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 23Government Response to the Pandemic
Government's reaction to the pandemic has been...
70
60
Views on the Government’s response
50
to the pandemic are unchanged with
40 the majority viewing it as
% Too extreme appropriate.
30
Appropriate
20 Insufficient
10
0
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 24Long-term expectations
When do you think all restrictions will be lifted for good?
80 Around 60% of people now expect
70
restrictions to be lifted for good
within 6 months. This is significantly
60 lower than the previous round of
50
SAM but note that the only
remaining restrictions are the
% 40 < 6 months requirement to isolate if
30 6-12 months symptomatic and to wear a mask in
> a year healthcare settings.
20
10
0
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 25Expectations for easing restrictions (next month)
100
Tightened a lot
90
Tightened a little
80 Looking to April, there was a
No change
70 significant drop in the proportion of
Eased
60 people expecting restrictions to
% 50 ease further, with a corresponding
40 increase in the proportion that
30 believed restrictions would be
20 unchanged – as would be expected
10 given the recent lifting of all
0 restrictions other than mask-
wearing in medical facilities and
symptomatic self-isolation. Almost
no respondents expect any
tightening of restrictions in April.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 26Return of Restrictions
Respondents in this wave of
Unlikely (1-3) Unsure (4) Likely (5-7) SAM were asked how likely
70 they thought restrictions could
70
62.7 be re-imposed for various
60 reasons. A majority believe
60
54.0
50.7 restrictions could be re-
50
50 imposed if another variant of
% respondents
39.5 40 concern emerges. Around half
40 35.5 of people expect restrictions
30 could be re-imposed if
30 26.7
25.0 24.3 25.0 hospitalisations rise or for
20
19.3 19.4 17.9 20 seasonal changes. A minority
11.9 expect restrictions to be re-
10 10 imposed if cases rise.
Looking across all reasons, just
0 0 over one-in-ten people believe
Cases Rise Seasonal Hospitalisations New Variant of Unlikely (any restrictions are unlikely for any
Changes Rise Concern reason) reason.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 27Return of Restrictions
Unlikely (1-3) Unsure (4) Likely (5-7)
80
Respondents were also asked about
70 67.8 the kinds of restrictions they think
could be re-imposed. The only
60.0
60 57.9 restriction a majority thought likely
54.8
53.0 was the return of a requirement to
50 wear masks in some locations.
% respondents
42.1 41.9 Responses over the likelihood of
40 38.1 37.3
34.8 36.0 hospitality restrictions (incl. Digital
Covid Cert checks) and capacity
30
22.3 23.1 24.6 25.8 25.3 limits in indoor venues were
22.1 21.2
20
19.7 19.9 20.719.3
divided.
16.415.8
Most reported that it’s unlikely that
10 schools or hospitality will close,
there will be reduced capacity at
0 outdoor venues or travel
Masks in Some Covid Certs Reduced Hospitality Reduced Closure of Travel School restrictions will be re-imposed.
Locations Capacity Restrictions Capacity Hospitality & Restrictions Closures
Indoors Outdoors Indoor Venues (e.g. stay
within county)
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 28Following coverage
Following news about COVID-19
6.0
5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
4/1-11/1
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
The extent to which people are following the news about COVID-19 is at its lowest levels recorded since SAM started
and has declined significantly since early February.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 29Self-reported compliance
Self Others
6.6 5.0
6.5 4.9
6.4 4.8
6.3 4.7
Score (1 to 7)
Score (1 to 7)
6.2 4.6
6.1 4.5
6.0 4.4
5.9 4.3
5.8 4.2
5.7 4.1
5.6 4.0
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
4/1-11/1
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Jan
Mar
Apr
May
Aug
Nov
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Oct
4/1-11/1
Feb
Sep
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Self-reported compliance with public health guidance and perceived compliance of other people increased
slightly compared to previous wave, but the changes were not significant.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 30Overall support for the public health effort
Supportive of public health effort Support by age-group
100 100
95 95
90 90
85 85
% 80 % 80 60+
75 40-59
75
18-39
70 70
65 65
60 60
Sep
Jan
Feb
Oct
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Apr
Nov
4/1-11/1
Mar
May
Sep
Feb
Oct
Dec
1/3-9/3
Jun
Jul
Aug
18/1-25/1
01/2-08/2
15/2-22/2
Apr
Nov
4/1-11/1
Mar
May
Overall support for the public health effort measured across a range of questions
has remained stable, with no significant changes within age-groups.
Source: ESRI Social Activity Measure for the Department of the Taoiseach 31You can also read
