Families and Survivors Commemorate Fifth Anniversary of Covid-19 Pandemic with National Day of Reflection

Five years ago the nation was ‘locked down’ when the Covid-19 virus indiscriminately spread across the globe.

On March 23, 2020, the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared a nationwide lockdown.

And between March 2020 and July 2022, an estimated 180,000 people died after contracting the virus in England and Wales.

To commemorate the devastating period the Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced in December that today would mark a nationwide day of reflection.

Communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland organized numerous events to commemorate the pain, sorrow, empathy, and sacrifices endured during those challenging times.

Looking back on the pandemic, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed, ‘As we observe the fifth anniversary of the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, I recognize that for many, there is profound sorrow and bereavement that may never fully heal.’

‘Today, we come together to remember, reflect and pay tribute to the sacrifices made by people across our country.’

The annual day was one of the recommendations set out by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration. 

The Mayor of Lambeth, Councillor John-Paul Ennis, delivers a speech at The National Covid Memorial Wall in London today 

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney (centre right) lays a wreath during the Covid-19 Day of Reflection memorial event at Glasgow Green

People attend the Covid-19 Day of Reflection memorial event at Glasgow Green, marking the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic

In London, a procession took place along the National COVID Memorial Wall in Westminster.

Mourning relatives and the general public, accompanied by a Highland piper, shed tears while passing by 3,000 portraits representing the individuals who lost their lives – a mere one percent of the overall UK death toll, according to the event organizers.

The memorial wall, which runs parallel to the River Thames, was created in 2021, after a man whose father died from the virus painted a red heart on the South Bank. 

A widow, Lynn Jones fought back tears as she remembered her ‘fit and healthy’ 66-year-old husband Gareth.

Gareth was ‘a loved principal’ in their hometown of Stoke on Trent, who died after ‘spending seven weeks in hospital battling the virus on his own’.

A minute’s silence was held after the chimes of Big Ben and long-stemmed red carnations were thrown into the River Thames from Lambeth Bridge. 

The event ended with a song from a choir and a salute on the river from the London Fire Brigade fireboat.

The First Minister of Scotland after laying at wreath at today’s memorial ceremony 

A bagpiper leads bereaved families in a procession next to the National Covid Memorial Wall

Flowers are left next to the National Covid Memorial Wall, marking five years of Covid-19

John Swinney speaking during the Covid-19 Day of Reflection memorial event at Glasgow Green

One of the participants, Dr Phil Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) said: ‘The emphasis of the day will rightly be one of solemnity and heartfelt reflection.’ 

Other events in the capital included a minute’s silence at Euston station at midday and evensong services at St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. 

An invite-only commemoration was held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Burton-on-Trent, East Staffordshire.

The writer, poet, broadcaster and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen performed a new poem for the crowd.

He was rushed to hospital with Covid and put into an induced coma in intensive care for 48 days.

Heartbreaking testimonials from NHS staff, patients, volunteers and senior healthcare figures including chief nursing officer Duncan Burton were heard – as well as songs from singer Lesley Garrett. 

A flock of white doves, which symbolise peace and new beginnings, were released. 

A woman reads the tributes on the National Covid Memorial Wall lined with pictures of loved ones

Bereaved families and attendees gather to walk along The National Covid Memorial Wall and throw flowers into the River Thames in London 

A woman throws a flower into the River Thames in London in memory of those who died 

A man looks forward as he walks alongside the National Covid Memorial Wall

National Memorial Arboretum Managing Director Philippa Rawlinson laying flowers at the Trees of Life glade today 

A red rose is laid out beside the water in memory of those who died during the pandemic 

A special prayer service at Manchester Cathedral was also set to go ahead today, as well as an outdoor event at Glasgow Green which included a choir and minute’s silence. 

An intimate event is also set to go ahead at the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield, Staffordshire. 

In Wales, a yellow heart memorial made up of yellow stones on the side of a mountain in the village of Bwlch was present. 

A wreath is being laid in Glasgow at the memorial bench behind Pollock House followed by a release of doves. 

And in In Northern Ireland, Belfast City Hall is set to light up yellow to remember those who lost their lives during the pandemic, which ended in tragedy for many families.