BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 Years on: How Covid-19 has changed our world

27 March 2025 marks 5 years since South Africa went into its first hard lockdown following the outbreak of Covid-19 – the global pandemic that impacted every person on the planet.
While vaccination and herd immunity have now dropped Covid-19’s threat level, the changes experienced across every industry during that time resonate today, with some positive shifts coming out of the pandemic experience.

1. The rise of remote work

If you’re reading this from your home office, it’s likely you have the pandemic to thank for your new remote work life. Companies that were once so resistant to flexible work policies were forced to adapt, with many realising the productivity and cost-saving benefits. Added in the increased job satisfaction, and hybrid offices have become a welcome change to modern working life.

2. Healthcare evolution

The pressing need for a vaccine saw processes that once took decades now taking a matter of months. The pandemic prompted unprecedented global co-operation in medical research, opening the doors for future treatment in cancer vaccines, faster responses to emerging viruses, and wider access to healthcare for all. The rise of telemedicine has also paved the way for enhanced specialised knowledge reaching more remote locations through digital consultations.

3. Digital transformation

The digital boom was given an even bigger boost with the pandemic, as lockdowns accelerated the world’s reliance on technology. We saw the world of e-commerce explode, with organisations like Amazon entering South Africa and the rise of delivery services like Checkers 60/60. Virtual events are now much more commonplace, with workshops, conferences, weddings, and even concerts livestreamed. The shift to remote workplaces saw collaborative technology evolving and becoming more a part of our daily lives, with Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams top competitors.

4. Mental health awareness

Once an overlooked form of healthcare, mental health has since taken centre stage as the impact of isolation, uncertainty, anxiety and loss took its toll worldwide. Workplaces are now taking mental health more seriously, with holistic well-being programmes and therapy forming part of employee benefits – as well as mental health days. Mask-wearing during flu season is now quite common, with people actively trying to avoid spreading germs. Finally, The Great Resignation saw many people ditching jobs for more meaningful careers.

5. Travel trends

With travel suddenly prohibited, we all realised the value of getting out and experiencing new things. The tourism sector has seen a massive upsurge with interesting trends emerging, such as wellness travel, sustainable travel, cultural travel, and much more immersive, authentic experiences in demand. People are seeking ways to explore underrepresented areas, spreading the tourism economy to those in remote areas while enjoying truly unique adventures.

So much has changed in just 5 years, and the pandemic truly reshaped society in ways we’re still understanding. As we move forward, the lessons learnt will continue influencing how we engage with the rest of the world, and how we prepare for future global crises.