32% of Seoul Citizens Say "Struggling Due to Inability to Enjoy Leisure Activities and Travel Since COVID-19"

Analysis of Survey on 3,983 People... 4 out of 10 Say "Mental Health Has Worsened"
Complaints of Isolation, Disconnection, and Economic Hardship... Sympathy for Difficulties of Small Business Owners and Vulnerable Groups

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Four out of ten Seoul citizens felt that their mental health had worsened since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The most difficult aspects due to COVID-19 were restrictions on leisure activities and travel, and difficulties in interacting with others.

Seoul City conducted an online survey from July to August targeting 3,983 citizens aged 10 to 80, titled "Changes in Citizens' Daily Lives After COVID-19," and announced the results analyzed by IBM Korea's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot on the 21st.

According to the data, when asked "How is your mental health compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak?" 40% (1,489 people) of respondents answered "worsened." The reasons for worsened mental health included economic difficulties, economic downturn, lack of leisure activities due to social distancing, reduced outdoor activities, decreased social interactions, inconvenience in daily life due to mask-wearing, disruption of family interactions, and lack of interpersonal relationships.

Regarding physical health, 25% (892 people) responded that it had "worsened." The reasons cited included worries about infection and obsessive thoughts, reduced opportunities for health management due to access restrictions, feelings of frustration and lethargy, decreased exercise, and isolated living.

Thirty-two percent of Seoul citizens said that the most difficult aspect due to COVID-19 was "restrictions on leisure activities or travel." This was followed by 26% who found "limitations on social interactions" challenging, and 24% who experienced difficulties due to "unemployment or income reduction." Other difficulties mentioned included "using public transportation" and "shopping or dining out."

However, 92% of citizens felt that the social distancing policies implemented by Seoul City were absolutely necessary. While 30% of respondents reported feeling isolated due to social distancing, 70% who did not feel isolated were maintaining appropriate social distancing while continuing school or work life.

Meanwhile, when asked which group in society was the most vulnerable after the spread of COVID-19, the responses were "workers feeling the crisis of income reduction and unemployment (25%)," "small business owners and self-employed experiencing sales decline (19%)," and "low-income vulnerable groups (16%)" in that order. Additionally, 28% of respondents positively evaluated Seoul City's COVID-19 response policies, naming "emergency disaster living expenses and special support funds for special employment types" as the most excellent policies, recognizing support for workers and self-employed individuals facing income and sales difficulties.

Furthermore, 33% of citizens said they most frequently obtain necessary information through internet news. TV (news) was 32%, and disaster safety text messages were also high at 26%, whereas information delivery through social networking services (SNS) was relatively low at 8%.

Jeong Seon-ae, Seoul City's Innovation Planning Officer, said, "As COVID-19 prolongs, all citizens are facing difficulties, but especially people with disabilities, students unable to attend school for extended periods, infants and young children needing care, small business owners and self-employed struggling with sales decline, and job seekers are going through particularly tough times. Therefore, we are looking for ways to cooperate not only through Seoul City's measures but also by linking with corporate social responsibility activities."