London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Mar 20, 2026

Covid: UK marks one year anniversary of lockdown

Covid: UK marks one year anniversary of lockdown

Services were held around the UK to remember those who have died from coronavirus.

The Queen reflected on the "grief and loss felt by so many" and sent a bouquet of flowers to St Bartholomew's Hospital in London.

On 23 March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough restrictions on people's lives, aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19.

Since then, the UK's official death toll has risen from 364 to 126,172.

People are being encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 20:00 GMT with phones, candles and torches to signify a "beacon of remembrance".

The gesture is being organised by end-of-life charity Marie Curie.

Landmark and tourist attraction The London Eye is illuminated in yellow light.
The iconic Titanic building and visitor centre is lit up in yellow in Belfast.
Sunderland's Northern Spire Bridge looked striking at nightfall
The Kelpies sculpture in Falkirk, Scotland, is also illuminated in yellow, as part of a day of reflection.
At No 10 Downing Street, a staff member places a candle on the doorstep for the 20:00 vigil.
There was a sombre reflection for those lost during the pandemic in Dormansland, Surrey

Here are pictures of people observing the minute's silence and attending services around the UK.
Health workers from the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (also below)

Staff outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow
Health workers and faith leaders at the Fazl mosque vaccination centre in southwest London
Staff at a Marie Curie hospice in Penarth
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge took part in a private moment of reflection in Westminster Abbey and then visited a vaccination centre at the abbey in London
The House of Commons held a minute's silence. Prime Minister Boris Johnson observed the silence privately
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (left), Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh (centre) and Scottish Conservative Ruth Davidson (right), along with other MSPs and parliament staff, observe a minute's silence in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh
In a tweet earlier in the day, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "One year on. Thinking today of all those who have lost a loved one to Covid, and to everyone who continues to make heartbreaking sacrifices as we continue to navigate our way through this terrible ordeal, together"
Canon Andrew Stead leads a service at Lichfield Cathedral
People light candles in Lichfield Cathedral
The Dean of Ripon, The Very Reverend John Dobson lights a candle of remembrance in Ripon
Nurses stand alongside firefighters (in red) from Hampshire Fire and Rescue as they observe a minute's silence in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth
Chief spiritual adviser Mia Hilborn (centre) stands with NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens (centre left) and Guys and St Thomas' NHS Trust chief executive and chief medical officer Dr Ian Abbs (centre right) during a ceremony at St Thomas' Hospital in central London
Members of staff place flowers near the statue of Crimean War nurse Mary Seacole at St Thomas' Hospital
Commuters take part in a minute's silence at Waterloo Station in central London
A yellow ribbon is tied to a memorial tree at Hutton Rudby Methodist Church in Middlesbrough
Angel ties a yellow ribbon to a gate after a service at St Catherine's Church in London
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Apple issues an unusual warning: this is how your iPhone can be hacked without you doing anything
UK and Nigeria Reach Agreement to Accelerate Return of Irregular Migrants
UK Sets New Aid Priorities Following Significant Budget Reductions
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
Cyprus President Urges Open Dialogue Over Future of British Sovereign Base Areas
UK Plans 50% Steel Tariffs in Bold Move to Protect Domestic Industry
Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through UK Economy as Energy Costs and Trade Risks Surge
UK Health Officials Warn Kent Meningitis Outbreak Still Active as Cases Continue to Rise
UK Climate Progress Faces Scrutiny Over Reliance on Carbon Accounting Methods
UK Deploys Advisers to United States to Shape Plan for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Amazon Bets on AI-Driven Alexa Upgrade to Revive UK Smart Speaker Market
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
UK Abortion Law Changes Spark Strong Response from Church Leaders and Pro-Life Advocates
GB News Faces Regulatory Complaints Over On-Air Remarks on ‘Genocide’ Claims
UK Signals Expanded Support for Gulf Allies as Iranian Attacks Intensify Regional Threats
UK VAT Decision Opens Path for Potential Refunds to U.S. Biopharma Firms
UK and Canada Advance ‘Middle Power’ Strategy to Shape Global Influence Beyond Superpowers
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
Google Explores AI Opt-Out Features in Search to Address UK Regulatory Concerns
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Fuel Prices Poised to Surge as Global Tensions Drive Oil Market Volatility
UK Holds Back on Hormuz Escort Mission While Continuing Talks with Allies
TrumpRx Pricing Platform Faces Scrutiny as Some Medicines Remain Costlier Than in the UK
UK, Netherlands and Finland Explore Joint Defence Investment Bank to Boost Military Capability
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in Kent Raises Alarm as Cases Surge and Emergency Response Expands
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
×