The Inquiry is committed to conducting an evidence-based investigation into the impact of the pandemic on society. We have listened carefully to people from across society and we have heard the devastating human cost of the pandemic. The Inquiry’s Module 10 investigation draws on the most extensive public engagement the Inquiry has ever undertaken.
Roundtables have allowed the Inquiry to gather information for Module 10 from a diverse range of organisations to provide their perspectives on the societal impact of the pandemic. A total of nine roundtables took place from February – June 2025, and evidence reports from each discussion have now been published. These reports, along with other evidence collected, will help inform the Chair’s findings.
The roundtable evidence reports covered the following topics:
The Faith groups and places of worship roundtable examined the experiences of religious institutions and faith communities due to closures and restrictions on worship, and adaptations during the pandemic.
The Key workers roundtable heard from organisations representing key workers across a wide range of sectors about the unique pressures and risks they faced during the pandemic.
The Domestic abuse safeguarding roundtable engaged with organisations that support victims and survivors of domestic abuse to understand how lockdown measures and restrictions impacted access to support services and their ability to provide assistance to those that needed it the most.
The Funerals, burials, and bereavement support roundtable explored the effects of restrictions on funerals and how bereaved families navigated their grief during the pandemic.
The Justice system roundtable address the impact on those in prisons and detention centres, and those affected by court closures and delays.
The Hospitality, retail, travel, and tourism industries roundtable engaged with business leaders to examine how closures, restrictions and reopening measures impacted these critical sectors.
The Community-level sport and leisure roundtable investigated the impact of restrictions on community level sports, fitness and recreational activities.
The Cultural institutions roundtable sought to investigate the effects of closures and restrictions on museums, theatres and other cultural institutions.
The Housing and homelessness roundtable explored how the pandemic affected housing insecurity, eviction protections and homelessness support services.
You can read more about the development of the Module 10 roundtables in this news story on our website.