Yellow ribbons tied to Westminster Bridge to mark two years since first Covid lockdown

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock (12862999n) Volunteeers from Covid Families UK tie yellow ribbons on Westminster Bridge to commemorate the victims of the coronavirus pandemic on the second anniversary of the first national lockdown imposed by the government. Second anniversary of first national covid lockdown, Westminster, London, UK - 23 Mar 2022 — Volunteers from Covid Families UK tie yellow ribbons on Westminster Bridge (Picture: Rex / Shutterstock)

The UK today marked the second anniversary of the first national coronavirus lockdown with events across the country.

The country paused to remember all of those who died during the pandemic as part of a series of events organised by Marie Curie – the end-of-life charity.

People are being encouraged to display flowers in their window or shine a light at 8pm this evening in memory of those lost.

A minute’s silence was held at midday and people have been tying yellow ribbons with messages to loved ones on Westminster Bridge, as part of an event held by Covid-19 Families UK.

Locations across the UK including the Gherkin in London, the Senedd in Cardiff, Glasgow Central Station and Belfast City Hall have all been lit up in yellow in memory of those lost.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said those who died during the pandemic would ‘never be out of our hearts and minds’.

Boris Johnson is set to mark the anniversary privately and paid tribute to the ‘heroic efforts’ of NHS staff and the impact of the pandemic around the world which he described as ‘immeasurable’.

The first ministers of Scotland and Wales and health minister for Northern Ireland are also helping support the day’s events.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock (12862999j) Volunteeers from Covid Families UK tie yellow ribbons on Westminster Bridge to commemorate the victims of the coronavirus pandemic on the second anniversary of the first national lockdown imposed by the government. Second anniversary of first national covid lockdown, Westminster, London, UK - 23 Mar 2022 — Yellow ribbons have been placed along Westminster Bridge (Picture: Rex / Shutterstock)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock (12862999l) Volunteeers from Covid Families UK tie yellow ribbons on Westminster Bridge to commemorate the victims of the coronavirus pandemic on the second anniversary of the first national lockdown imposed by the government. Second anniversary of first national covid lockdown, Westminster, London, UK - 23 Mar 2022 — Locations across the UK have been involved in events to mark the anniversary (Picture: Rex / Shutterstock)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amer Ghazzal/REX/Shutterstock (12862999b) Volunteeers from Covid Families UK tie yellow ribbons on Westminster Bridge to commemorate the victims of the coronavirus pandemic on the second anniversary of the first national lockdown imposed by the government. Second anniversary of first national covid lockdown, Westminster, London, UK - 23 Mar 2022 — Signs encouraging people to leave a message have been put up (Picture: Rex / Shutterstock)

Ruth May, NHS England’s chief nursing officer, said she is proud of everything health and care staff achieved throughout the pandemic and is ‘eternally thankful and proud’.

She said: ‘I have seen NHS staff across the length and breadth of the country step up to the task that has faced them, delivering the best possible care to their patients and supporting each other during some very difficult times.

‘That is why it is so important that we get together and reflect as a nation on the impact Covid-19 has had on us all, especially those who are no longer with us.’

Marie Curie chief nurse Julie Pearce said: ‘While life is beginning to return to normal for some people, several million people are still living with the trauma of loss, and not being able to grieve properly.

Pupils from St Wilfreds Primary School, York form a human chain outside York Minster in support of the people of Ukraine. Pupils from schools across the city linked arms and carried blue and yellow ribbons along a route between the Bar Convent to York Minster. The event was thought up by pupils at All Saints RC School and staff there have helped coordinate efforts with schools across the city. Picture taken on Wednesday 2 March 2022 — Pupils from St Wilfrid’s Primary School, York, form a human chain outside York Minster (Picture: Asadour Guzelian)

Pupils from St Wilfreds Primary School, York observe minute?s silence as they form a human chain outside York Minster in support of the people of Ukraine. Pupils from schools across the city linked arms and carried blue and yellow ribbons along a route between the Bar Convent to York Minster. The event was thought up by pupils at All Saints RC School and staff there have helped coordinate efforts with schools across the city. Picture taken on Wednesday 2 March 2022 — A minute’s silence was held at midday today (Picture: Asadour Guzelian)

‘Let’s take time to connect, and show support for the millions of people who are grieving, and remember the family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we’ve lost over the last two years.’

According to data published yesterday by the Office for National Statistics, a total of 188,078 deaths have occurred in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

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Yellow ribbons tied to Westminster Bridge to mark two years since first Covid lockdown

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