Today marks one whole year since the UK entered its first national lockdown. We are currently in the third national lockdown but an end is in sight.
On 23 March 2020, the Covid death toll stood at 364, current statistics show it to have reached 126,172.
Addressing the nation a year ago today, Boris Johnson said: “Each and every one of us is now obliged to join together, to halt the spread of this disease, to protect our NHS and to save many, many thousands of lives and I know that as they have in the past so many times, the people of this country will rise to that challenge, and we will come through it stronger than ever.
We will beat the coronavirus and we will beat it together.”
The PM, like everyone else, underestimated how deadly and long-lasting the virus and its effects would end up being, to such an extent that we are still in lockdown, a year on.
To mark the occasion, a minute’s silence will be held at midday, and people are being urged to stand on their doorsteps at 8pm and hold torches and candles as a ‘beacon of remembrance’.
The London Eye, Wembley Stadium, Cardiff Castle and Belfast City Hall will all be illuminated in yellow, while churches will toll bells as well.
Reflecting on a year of lockdowns, the Prime Minister said: “The last 12 months has taken a huge toll on us all, and I offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Today, the anniversary of the first lockdown, is an opportunity to reflect on the past year – one of the most difficult in our country’s history. We should also remember the great spirit shown by our nation over this past year. We have all played our part, whether it’s working on the front line as a nurse or carer, working on vaccine development and supply, helping to get that jab into arms, home schooling your children, or just by staying at home to prevent the spread of the virus. It’s because of every person in this country that lives have been saved, our NHS was protected, and we have started on our cautious road to easing restrictions once and for all.”
The number of people infected with Covid-19 in the UK, where most restrictions have been lifted, is approaching record levels in relative indifference, according to estimates published on Friday 25 March.
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