SALT LAKE CITY Many Utahns feel safe and comfortable going shopping or eating at restaurants by this point during the COVID-19 pandemic. But when it comes to entertainment and cultural events, there s more hesitation, according to a new survey from Y2 Analytics.
About 91% of Utahns say they feel comfortable going to a zoo, garden or aquarium, whereas only 52% feel the same level of comfort about attending an indoor concert, play or other live performance.
Researchers surveyed 1,104 randomly selected registered Utah voters in early March. An oversample of 649 registered Salt Lake County voters were also included in the data and responses were weighted to make sure no group was disproportionately represented.
Battered by pandemic, Utah s arts and culture industry preps for return
and last updated 2021-04-30 19:52:40-04
SALT LAKE CITY â According to data from Y2 Analytics, Utah s arts and culture industry suffered some of the biggest losses during the pandemic. The industry lost more than $76.5 million, and more than 25,000 workers lost their jobs in the last year â the vast majority being gig and independent contract workers.
The data was compiled as part of a recent survey conducted by Y2 on the community s comfort when it comes to the return of live and in-person entertainment. Y2 surveyed more than one thousand people around the state and found that people are currently less comfortable going to live entertainment or cultural events than visiting retail shops and restaurants, but over half surveyed said they anticipate feeling more comfortable in the next six months.
Most Utahns, including Salt Lake County residents, say theyâre ready to return to theaters, restaurants and festivals this summer
Four out of 5 people said the pandemic negatively affected their social lives, and a recent survey shows theyâre âeagerâ to return to entertainment venues.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Fans sing and dance at the LoveLoud Festival at the USANA Amphitheater in June 2019. As vaccinations rise and public health restrictions lift, many Utahns said they re comfortable returning to the arts and entertainment activities they enjoyed before the coronavirus pandemic, including outdoor concerts and festivals. | Updated: 3:05 p.m.
As Utahns get vaccinated and all statewide pandemic health orders will soon lift, most say theyâre excited about returning to zoos, botanical gardens and outdoor shows. But Salt Lake County residents remain hesitant about filling seats at sports stadiums or hitting the gym.