Impact of COVID-19 on ICT Usage by Households

As a result of the COVID-19 measures put in place by the Government in March, all shops except for those providing essential services were closed. The online purchase of Cleaning products or personal hygiene products (includes toothbrushes, washing detergents, etc.) by people doubled in March to 10% (compared with 5% in January). Similarly, 5% of internet users surveyed in March made online purchases of Medicine or dietary supplements (excludes medical prescriptions) in the previous three months, compared with 3% of internet users surveyed in January. See Table 4.2 and Figure 4.1.

All hairdressers, beauty salons, nail salons, etc. closed in mid-March as part of the COVID-19  measures put in place. Of internet users surveyed in March, 14% made online purchases of Cosmetics, beauty or wellness products in the three months previous, compared with one in ten (10%) in January. See Table 4.2.

As part of the measures put in place in March, all DIY, home furnishing and gardening stores were also closed. Of internet users surveyed in March, one in six (16%) made online purchases in the previous three months of Furniture, home accessories or gardening products, an increase of six percentage points on a similar period in January. See Table 4.2 and Figure 4.1.

As part of the Government COVID-19 measures, all sporting events were postponed or cancelled. All cultural and event centres like museums, galleries, theatres and concert venues were closed, as were cinemas. The effect of this measure can be seen in the drop in online purchase of Tickets for cultural or other events (including cinema, concerts, fairs, etc.) – 23% of internet users in March compared with 39% in January. Similarly, only 6% of internet users surveyed in March bought Tickets for sport events online in the previous three months, compared with 15% of internet users surveyed in January. See Table 4.3 and Figure 4.2.

The COVID-19 pandemic measures put in place by the Government in March included persons being confined to home and to their own household, except for essential shopping or emergency journeys. Also, all fitness and sports centres were closed and sports training, etc. cancelled. These measures may have led to an increase in the use of home training and exercise/keep fit routines, including the use of fitness Apps. Of internet users surveyed in March one twelfth (8%) stated that they purchased Apps related to health or fitness, compared with 3% in January, while 8% bought Other Apps online (including Apps related to learning languages, travelling, weather, etc). Over one fifth (21%) of internet users surveyed in March, purchased online Music as a streaming service or download, an increase of one percentage point on January. See Table 4.4 and Figure 4.2.