July 2021
As of July 2021:
- around half of people ‘Strongly agreed’ or ‘Agreed’ they were ‘Worried about falling ill with COVID’ (52%)
- and two thirds were ‘Worried about others I know falling ill with COVID’ (67%).
Whilst these figures have both fallen since February (when they were 59% and 73% respectively), they still show widespread concern.
That said, this is not necessarily acute concern:
- overall only 13% ‘Strongly agreed’ they were ‘Worried about falling ill with COVID’
- and 17% that they 'Strongly agreed' that they were ‘Worried about others I know falling ill with COVID’.
Those most likely to be concerned were:
- Those with dependent children under 16 (63% and 74% worried about themselves/others they know falling ill; cf. 48% and 65%) - particularly those with younger children.
- Those with a disability (62% and 72%; cf. 46% and 64%).
- Those aged 25-34 (61% and 68%; cf. 45% and 63% of over 65s).
- Women (54% and 70%; cf. 50% and 63% of men).
This doesn’t necessarily mean these groups are less likely to attend.
It does, though, suggest that there are particular concerns for those in these groups...
- Higher proportions of those 25-34 and with dependent children say they are ‘happy to attend’, for example.
- Though lower proportions of women and people with disabilities say they are ‘happy to attend’ than men and those without disabilities.
- Notably, the proportion who ‘Strongly Agree’ that they are ‘Worried about falling ill with COVID’ is more than double among those with a disability (19%) than without (9%).
Ensuring that reopening is done in a way that supports a full range of visitors is important, and Arts Council England's Seven Inclusive Principles is a really good place to start. We also second loudly ACE's advice that to really understand your audiences’ needs during reopening, it’s important to ask them.