London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Apr 04, 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
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit Set to Draw Heightened Global Attention
UK Considers Entry Fees for Overseas Visitors at Major Museums Ahead of 2026 Travel Season
UK Prime Minister and Kuwait Crown Prince Coordinate Security Response After Regional Escalation
Calls Grow to Expand Fully Paid Maternity Leave for UK Teachers Amid Workforce Pressures
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access to US Market in Landmark Pharmaceuticals Agreement
Trump Projects Strength in Critique of UK Leadership and Naval Readiness
UK FinTech Setback as VibePay and Smartlayer Cease Operations Amid Funding Pressures
UK Leads Global Coalition of Over Forty Nations to Address Strait of Hormuz Crisis
UK Firms Urged to Accelerate Preparation as New Sustainability Reporting Rules Take Shape
UK Moves Rapid Sentry Air Defence System to Kuwait After Drone Strike Escalation
Transatlantic Relations Tested as UK Seeks Balance While Trump Reshapes Strategic Approach
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
×