‘National Day of Reflection’ to be held on the anniversary of start of Covid lockdown

Minute’s silence to be followed by tolling of bells and lighting up of iconic landmarks – to ‘remember those who have died’

A “National Day of Reflection” will be held on the anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, with the backing of political leaders.

More than 110 organisations are behind the event, spearheaded by the end-of-life charity Marie Curie, as a way for the public to “remember those who have died”.

To be staged on Tuesday 23 March – the day a sombre Boris Johnson imposed the once-unthinkable lockdown in a live TV address – it will include a nationwide minute’s silence at midday.

Bells will then toll and, at 8pm, prominent buildings and iconic landmarks will be lit up across the UK.

There will also be online assemblies, choirs, the lighting of candles and lanterns on doorsteps, the wrapping of yellow ribbons around trees, and many other commemorative activities.

Mr Johnson has thrown his weight behind the idea, saying: “My thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones, and who have not been able to pay tribute to them in the way they would have wanted.

“I want to thank people for the sacrifices they continue to make and hope they can look forward to being reunited with loved ones as restrictions are cautiously eased.”

Other political leaders, including the first ministers of Scotland and Wales, and Labour’s Keir Starmer, also offered their support for the special day.

“The National Day of Reflection is a moment to remember the 125,000 people lost to coronavirus over the last year,” the Labour leader said.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “None of us will ever forget this past year. The last 12 months have been unimaginably tough for everybody, and it is right we pause to remember those we have lost.”

And Mark Drakeford, the Welsh leader, said: “It’s really important that we have the opportunity to come together to reflect on the last year – 23 March is an opportunity to unite and support each other during this tough time.”

It was on 23 March last year that Britons were ordered to stay at home, except for a strictly limited set of reasons – with police given powers to enforce the instruction with fines.

Public gatherings were banned and people only allowed to leave home to exercise once a day, for medical needs, to care for a vulnerable person, or to travel to work where absolutely necessary.

At the time, the Covid death toll stood at 335. Scientists said keeping it below 20,000 would be a success – but it now stands at more than 125,000 within 28 days of a positive test.

One expert later suggested 20,000 lives would have been saved if the lockdown had been imposed one week earlier, as the virus ripped through Italy and Spain amid terrible scenes.