COVID-19 has been more than a health crisis, and it is more than an economic crisis. Those most impacted by reduced work, lack of access to health care and disrupted education were already experiencing marginalisation, with the COVID-19 crisis leading to an increase in social inequities.

Governments can entrench this disadvantage but policy responses to COVID-19 have shown that it is possible to target social inequities within policy solutions.

For an inclusive society, governments should focus on mechanisms that enable social, digital and financial inclusion as a central strategy in the recovery from COVID-19.