As the time for opening borders approached, The Tasmania Project’s fifth general survey (TTP 5) asked Tasmanian residents about their experiences of the second year of COVID 19 and their current attitudes to borders, restrictions and vaccination. The researchers also track changing attitudes across the pandemic.

Half (50%) of respondents agreed that the pandemic had made them reconsider their life priorities, and 43% agreed that they had changed their life priorities due to the pandemic. Compared to previous surveys, a lower proportion of respondents agreed that they were enjoying a slower pace of life (43% now vs 60% in previous surveys). In-person participation in activities and events was common, but not at pre-pandemic levels. In person in 2021, 75% of respondents had visited a national park or reserve, and 44% and 43% had attended an art exhibition/gallery and live performance, respectively. Respondents report high levels of compliance with personal COVID-19 safe practices, however, many agree that they have become complacent relative to the start of the pandemic and will be more vigilant once borders open.

A high proportion (87%) were worried about the rise of political unrest/extremism in Australia. Just under two-thirds (65%) wanted a different Tasmania to emerge from this crisis, and 63% were not confident that we would ever have the same freedoms again.