Coronavirus: Most people in Abu Dhabi expect life to be 'normal again' by end of year

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  Tables are spread out at the Cafe Milano at the Four Seasons Hotel, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Maximum occupancy sign at the reception of Cafe Milano. Victor Besa / The National

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  American father-son duo Raj and Sebastian Dagstani last year opened a pizza restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

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  Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National

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  Tables are placed at least two metres apart at the food court. in Al Wahda Mall, which reopened after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National

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  Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi is now open after a coronavirus-enforced shutdown. Victor Besa / The National

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  Wearing of masks has been made compulsory to beat the coronavirus. Victor Besa / The National

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  A woman wearing protective face mask as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus arrives at a bus stop in Abu Dhabi. UAE government has eased the coronavirus restriction for residents and businesses around the country. Pawan Singh / The National

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  A ban on driving in and out of Abu Dhabi emirate came into force on Tuesday, June 2 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Pawan Singh / The National

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  Emirati security officers at a checkpoint at the entrance of Abu Dhabi, on the motorway linking Dubai to the capital, on June 2, 2020, after authorities cordoned off the city to fight the coronavirus. AFP

Almost two thirds of people in Abu Dhabi believe life will return to the way it was before the Covid-19 outbreak later this year, a study suggest.

Of the 47,000 residents and Emiratis polled in a “Life after coronavirus” survey, 57 per cent said they expected normality to be restored in the emirate within six months, while 14 per cent it could take another year. The remaining 29 per cent were unsure.

The survey was conducted by the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi in May. It aimed to determine public consensus on how the pandemic was dealt with in Abu Dhabi and what the biggest challenges people faced.

Respondents included Emiratis and residents and more than half (55 per cent) were women.

More than half of the parents polled (54 per cent) said they would send their children back to schools once they reopen in September while 27 per cent said it “depended on the circumstances”.

A little under a fifth of the people polled (19 per cent) said they would prefer to continue with remote working.

More than 80 per cent of businesses said they would adopt a more digital approach post-pandemic with the majority of respondents expecting online transactions and digital solutions to become the norm.

Two thirds of respondents (63 per cent) said they expect they would be able to find employment while three-quarters said working remotely would become common post-pandemic.

Almost all who took part in the survey (92 per cent) said they had complete confidence in the ability of the government and authorities to manage the pandemic since the outbreak.

At least 80 per cent of respondents said technology had improved their quality of life throughout the stay-home measures.

Dr Muna Al Bahar, advisor to the chairman of DCD, said the survey results would be used to inform policy related to Covid-19 going forward and help better planning for the future.

“Today we are moving to a new phase of awareness to ensure the smooth, gradual return to normal life. We must think ahead about the future, challenges and create plans to perceive the future,” she said.

“We are confident with a better tomorrow, all the indications reflect the stability of the situation in comparison to the other countries around the world."