In the latest in a series of weekly surveys carried out by polling firm Island Global Research, it was reported that demand in the construction sector has fallen 84% during the outbreak, while in hospitality the figure is 74%. Industries which have fared better include finance, public administration and health care.
At total of 51% of Jersey residents polled felt the virus was a high or very high threat to their job or business.
The survey of more than 1,500 residents across the three Crown Dependencies – Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man – found that more than 80% of respondents who were still ‘economically active’ had changed how
they work. This includes 47% now working from home and 40% saying their working hours has changed.
Self-employed workers were found to be ‘particularly vulnerable’ to the economic impact of the outbreak, with 42% reporting they had been forced to close their business.
‘Many businesses have changed how or when they operate because of Covid-19,’ the report concluded. ‘For some this had meant introducing more flexible working, however, for others the impact has been more severe as the stay-at-home requirements means their place of work is temporarily closed and business activity is suspended.’
Sectors which have proved to be resilient during the crisis have included financial services, which is by far the largest industry in Jersey, and reported only a 1% drop in demand.
Public administration workers and the health and social care sector both saw increased overall demand for their services during the period.
The survey was completed by 1,595 residents altogether – 515 in Jersey, 688 in Guernsey and 392 in the Isle of Man.
More details can be found at islandglobalresearch.com.
