Almost half of Portsmouth News readers don't see life going back to normal by 2022

More than 1,000 readers were surveyed to show how people across Portsmouth feel Covid-19 will change the way we live.

A total of 35 per cent responded that they can see life returning to normal within the next six months – but 39 per cent believe it will take up to two years for this to happen.

But others were less optimistic – with 7 per cent saying it will take up to five years for normal life to return, and 8 per cent life will remain irrecoverably altered.

It comes as the country begins to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of life outside of lockdown, with more people returning to workplaces following the prime minister Boris Johnson’s easing of the lockdown on Sunday.

Four out of five surveyed said the end of the lockdown should come about through a slow removal of restrictions – with just 3 per cent believing a rapid removal being the best course of action.

Readers are hoping the coronavirus outbreak will lead to more funding for the NHS, with 60 per cent seeing that as a likely outcome of the pandemic.

Almost 40 per cent of readers predict a greater sense of community spirit, but only 20 per cent see the crisis bringing the whole country closer together.

And the crisis has already begun to change people’s priorities, with 74 per cent saying spending time with family has become more important to them - and 37 per cent saying they are more inclined to support local businesses.

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