Life under coronavirus restrictions: How people spent their time between 28 March and 26 April 2020

New ONS analysis of how adults in Great Britain spent their time during the first part of the ‘lockdown’.

The results show differences between households with different incomes and is helping to inform understanding of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on people in Great Britain.

The data comes from the Time Use Survey comparing 28 March – 26 April 2020 with the previous study between April 2014 to December 2015. 

Among the findings are:

• Those from lower income households (earning up to £1,700 p.m. after tax) were working the same amount outside the home after ‘stay at home’ guidance on 23 March as they were five years ago
• Higher income households (earning over £3,300 p.m. after tax) were more likely to switch to home working than people in lower income households.
• With a fall in time spent travelling (eg commuting), all households saw an increase in time spent on leisure activities, with higher income households gaining the most time.

Go to ONS release