The Moldovan citizens consider the COVID-19 pandemic will cause an economic crisis in the county. An opinion poll carried out by Date Inteligente SRL (iData) during March 30 – April 4 shows that 86% of the respondents have such an opinion. In a news conference at IPN, iData executive director Mihai Bologan said the percentage is very high given that the largest part of the population is not so proficient in economy to know what a crisis is.

Some 46% of the respondents consider that the unemployment rate will rise. 37% believe that fewer taxes will be collected, while 35% think the population’s incomes will decline. Also, 34% of those surveyed said the food prices will increase. Only 4% consider the pandemic will also have a positive impact on the Republic of Moldova.

As to the impact on the own person, 39% of those polled believe they are exposed to the risk of being infected. 38% of the respondents said they feel sad, depressed or experience other negative emotions. 37% believe they would be affected by the economic crisis that would be generated by the pandemic. The respondents also feel uncertain about tomorrow or believe they will not cope with the costs next week.

Some 6% of those questioned see also a positive impact of the pandemic as they can spend more time at home, with the family, or can devote more time to their hobbies. 2% said the pandemic didn’t affect them at all.

Most of the respondents, 39%, believe the healthcare system in Moldova is ready to a particular extent to cope with the rise in the number of infections. 31% consider it is ready to a small extent, 16% believe it is not at all ready, while 8% said it is ready to a great extent.

Asked about the measures taken to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus, the largest part of those surveyed said they wash the hands, regularly use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, go out of the house only when necessary, wear masks and keep away from other persons. 81% of the respondents said they stay at home self-isolated, while 19% said they do not respect the quarantine regime.

According to Mihai Bologan, compared with the previous poll now the respondents indicated actions that are closer to the recommendations formulated by the World Health Organization.

On March 1, 56% of the respondents said they were out of work. A person would need 5,400 lei on average to manage during a month in times of a pandemic.

The survey covered a sample of 1,010 respondents. The margin of sampling error is ± 3%.