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Day of reflection in UK marking fifth anniversary of start of Covid Covid day of reflection in UK marks fifth anniversary since pandemic
(32 minutes later)
A procession was held at the national Covid-19 memorial wall to mark the day of reflection
People have been coming together to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in a nationwide day of reflection.People have been coming together to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in a nationwide day of reflection.
Hundreds of events and spaces for reflection were organised by communities to remember those who died. Emotional scenes were played out across the nation on Sunday as the bereaved and their communities hosted hundreds of events.
A procession has taken place along the Covid-19 memorial wall in London and ended with a ceremony outside Lambeth Palace. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "As we mark five years since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, I know for many there is deep grief and loss that may never be relieved."
The day of reflection was announced in December by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who said the events would be organised locally. The annual day is one of the recommendations set out by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration.
"The pandemic impacted us all in different ways, with many sadly losing loved ones and others making great sacrifices in their lives," she said. BBC News is inviting readers to share their memories of the Covid-19 pandemic by using the form below.
"This Covid-19 Day of Reflection will allow people the space and time to reflect and I would encourage everyone to take part in a way that feels right for them." In London, sobbing could be heard as bereaved relatives, led by a Highland piper, joined well wishers to walk beside the National Covid Memorial Wall.
They passed 3,000 photographs of the faces of some of those who died, which represents just over 1% of the total death toll from Covid in the UK, organisers said.
Choir song and a water cannon salute on the Thames from a London Fire Brigade fireboat brought the event to a close.
Flowers were thrown and a fire boat performed a water salute on the River ThamesFlowers were thrown and a fire boat performed a water salute on the River Thames
The memorial wall, which runs beside the River Thames, was created in 2021 when a man, whose father died after contracting Covid-19, painted a red heart on the South Bank. A minute's silence was held after the chimes of Big Ben and long-stemmed red carnations were cast into the River Thames.
The procession was followed by the ceremony and a minute's silence was held. Flowers were also thrown from Lambeth Bridge. Lynn Jones fought back tears as fought back tears as she remembered her "fit and healthy" 66-year-old husband Gareth who died after "spending seven weeks in hospital battling the virus on his own".
By late October 2023, there had been at least 232,000 deaths in the UK related to the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organisation. She told those gathered that at the London event that the Covid wall "is an expression of so many emotions - rage, love, grief, pain and unbearable sadness".
About 3,000 photos of the faces of some of those who died were passed around, representing just over 1% of the total death toll in the UK, organisers said. Well wishers at the National Memorial Arboretum in Burton-on-Trent heard a new poem from the writer, poet, broadcaster and former Children's Laureate Michael Rosen, who spent time in hospital with Covid and was placed into an induced coma.
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney laid a wreath during the event at Glasgow GreenFirst Minister of Scotland John Swinney laid a wreath during the event at Glasgow Green
One of the people participating in the procession is Dr Phil Banfield, chairman of the British Medical Association council (BMA). Across the UK, just under 227,000 people died who had the virus listed as a cause of death - with more than 16,000 in Scotland.
He said: "The emphasis of the day will rightly be one of solemnity and heartfelt reflection, as each of us remembers just how the effects of the pandemic forever changed us personally, professionally and as a society." A choir sang and a poem was read to take people into a minute's silence at the reflection event in Glasgow Green.
Other events include a special prayer service at Manchester Cathedral, an outdoor event at Glasgow Green including a piper, choir and minute's silence, and a remembrance concert with music, poems and readings in Belfast. Doves were released and the event also included a wreath being laid, a plaque unveiling and individual yellow roses being left in memory of loved ones.
National Memorial Arboretum managing director Philippa Rawlinson lay flowers National Memorial Arboretum managing director Philippa Rawlinson lays flowers
NHS Charities Together will pay tribute to the critical role played by the NHS, its workforce and charities in supporting patients and communities during the pandemic. Earlier, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney, who took part in the Glasgow ceremony, sent his "deepest condolences" to people who lost loved ones during the pandemic.
It will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which commemorates the thousands of people who died. Speaking before the service he added: "Children stopped going to school, many shops and businesses were closed, and we were no longer able to spend time with friends and family as normal."
The day of reflection was one of the recommendations made by the UK commission on Covid commemoration, which was tasked by the government to find the best ways of marking this period. Other events include a special prayer service at Manchester Cathedral and a remembrance concert with music, poems and readings in Belfast.
A local artist created a pavement mural in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral to mark the day
Baroness Morgan of Cotes, who heads the commission, said when the day of reflection was first announced: "As each year passes since the height of the pandemic it can feel as if Covid is more and more of a distant memory.
"And yet I know from the conversations the UK Covid commemoration commissioners had, that those who lost loved ones appreciate a day when many others will also remember those who lost their lives with them."
A public inquiry into the government's response to the pandemic is under way with hearings taking place now on the procurement of personal protective equipment for the NHS.