A new poll by Angus Reid has found that a majority of Canadians don’t expect to return to their pre-pandemic lives until next fall.
Sixty-three per cent (63%) of poll respondents said they don’t think life in Canada will go back to how it was before COVID-19 until near the end of 2021, with 20% of people saying they don’t think life in Canada will ever return to “the way it was” before the global pandemic.
The results show pessimism exists despite the COVID-19 vaccine rollout that’s now underway, with new and more severe lockdown restrictions across Canada putting a damper on Christmas.
The survey also looked at what activities Canadians are looking forward to once restrictions are lifted and the pandemic passes. In all, 44% of people said they are looking forward to resuming day-to-day activities without stress.
The survey also found that 42% said they’re eager to travel internationally, while 20% intend to travel within Canada. The poll found 32% of respondents said they are most excited to be able to dine in at restaurants. About one-in-10 respondents (10%) said he or she intends to go to concerts, fitness classes, the movies and sporting events.
Meanwhile, 43% said they’re looking forward to resuming physical contact with other people, while 24% said they’d like to get together with older people they haven’t been able to meet during the pandemic.