The results of the Restore Chester County Survey reveal that vaccination status, safety measures, and social distancing will continue to play a major role in individuals’ confidence to take part in community events and activities and to return to restaurant dining. 

Outdoor vs. indoor

The preference for outdoor events, activities, and dining far outweigh indoor settings, according to the survey. Findings of the Restore Chester County Survey indicate that seven out of 10 respondents (72 percent) are very likely to eat outdoors at a restaurant, while less than half (44 percent) indicated they were very likely to eat indoors at a restaurant. More than half (54 percent) of respondents noted that they were very likely to attend an outdoor community event, compared with just one quarter (25 percent) who said they were very likely to attend an indoor community event. 

Vaccination status

Nearly six out of 10 (59 percent) respondents strongly agree that their personal or their household’s vaccine status impacts their comfort level, and in survey comments, those with small children indicated a continued level of caution until their children can be vaccinated.

When asked what vaccine percentage rate for the whole of Chester County would improve comfort level for participation in summer and fall activities, the average answer of all respondents was 70 percent fully vaccinated. 

Chester County leads the state in COVID-19 vaccination rates with 80 percent of all eligible people (age 12 and above) currently either partially or fully vaccinated. County health officials estimate that a minimum of 70 percent of all residents in Chester County age 18 and older will be fully vaccinated by July 1.

“While restaurants and bars, retail and other small businesses, community organizations, and municipalities are being given the ‘go-ahead’ to open at full capacity and to hold in-person events, the success of these endeavors are totally reliant on whether or not the public is prepared to ‘go back to normal,’” said Ernie Holling, Executive Director of the Chester County Association of Township Officials and member of the Restore Chester County Committee.

The Restore Chester County Survey was created by members of the Chester County Commissioners’ COVID-19 Business Task Force, a group that represents the county’s business, economic, education, and government leadership. Full results of the survey are being analyzed to provide specific guidance to the 21 industry sectors that are identified in the Restore Chester County program, and that guidance will be added to the Restore Chester County website in the coming days.

Restore Chester County has served as an online toolkit for businesses, organizations, and county residents since the county began gradually re-opening last year. Its purpose is to focus on best practices for reopening and restoring Chester County’s quality of place.

The Restore Chester County survey was open from April 23 to May 14 and attracted 5,286 responses. Ten percent of respondents were up to age 34, and the remaining 90 percent were equally represented from age 35 and above.