Essential Report
Easing restrictions
Q. When do you think governments should start to ease the restrictions on travel and gatherings to allow offices, shops, restaurants, other workplaces, and public spaces to start operating again?
04/05 | 27/04 | 20/04 | |
As soon as possible | 10% | 10% | 9% |
Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 9% | 7% | 6% |
Within the next month | 21% | 18% | 14% |
By the end of next month | 15% | 15% | 13% |
It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 37% | 42% | 49% |
Unsure | 8% | 8% | 10% |
Base (n) | 1,093 | 1,054 | 1,051 |
Gender | Age Group | Location | |||||||
Total | Male | Female | 18-34 | 35-54 | 55+ | Capital | Non-Capital | ||
As soon as possible | 10% | 12% | 9% | 11% | 13% | 8% | 10% | 12% | |
Within the next 1 to 2 weeks | 9% | 11% | 7% | 12% | 9% | 7% | 9% | 10% | |
Within the next month | 21% | 21% | 20% | 26% | 18% | 18% | 22% | 17% | |
By the end of next month | 15% | 15% | 15% | 12% | 17% | 17% | 16% | 14% | |
It is too soon to consider easing restrictions | 37% | 32% | 42% | 28% | 37% | 44% | 36% | 38% | |
Unsure | 8% | 8% | 7% | 10% | 7% | 6% | 7% | 9% | |
Base (n) | 1,093 | 539 | 554 | 341 | 372 | 380 | 734 | 359 | |
- People are becoming increasingly open to easing the lockdown restrictions. Those who think it’s too soon to lift restrictions has fallen from 49% two weeks ago to 37%.
- One in five people think restrictions should be eased within the next month (21%).
- Those aged over 55 are least likely to consider easing restrictions (44% say it’s too soon, compared to 28% of those aged 18-34).
- Women are more likely than men to think it’s too soon to consider lifting restrictions (42% to 32%).

COVID-19 RESEARCH
Read Essential's ongoing research on the public response to Covid-19.
Essential Report
In this week's report:
- Performance of Scott Morrison
- Performance of Anthony Albanese
- Preferred Prime Minister
- Views towards re-electing the federal Coalition government
- Party trust to handle issues
- Importance of Australia’s international reputation
- Scott Morrison’s impact on Australia’s international reputation
- Views towards Australia’s international reputation
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