COMMUNITIES up and down the country are set to come together today, March 9, to mark the COVID-19 Day of Reflection.

Hundreds of events and spaces for reflection have been organised by communities to remember and commemorate those who lost their lives during the pandemic.

They will also be an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made, the impact on our daily lives, and pay tribute to the work of health and social care staff, frontline workers and researchers during what was an unprecedented time.

Charles Rowcliffe (87) of Crediton was vaccinated at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre by Caroline Cornfield, Practice Nurse at the New Valley Practice, now part of Redlands. (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Events, gatherings and commemorations are taking place across the country, including:

• A procession along the National Covid Memorial Wall, followed by a ceremony and a minute’s silence, and flowers being cast from London’s Lambeth Bridge

• NHS Charities Together will be holding an event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which commemorates the thousands of people who tragically lost their lives since the pandemic began, and pay tribute to the critical role played by the NHS, its workforce and NHS charities in supporting patients and communities during the pandemic.

• Manchester Cathedral will host a special prayer service, honouring and reflecting upon the experiences felt by the Black, Caribbean and African community who faced unique challenges during the pandemic.

• Local authorities are recognising the day across the country. In Liverpool St George’s Hall will become the city’s focal point for the Day’s activities and in Sheffield the City Council is partnering with a community-led, NHS-funded programme, Compassionate Sheffield, for commemoration, speeches and a showing of the Stories from the Pandemic documentary.

When police stopped every vehicle in Crediton High Street on Friday, March 27, 2020, the day after new powers came into force to ensure motorists were not breaking coronavirus partial-lockdown rules. AQ 7252

Members of the public can find more information to help them to mark the day if they wish, including an interactive map that displays all the events taking place up and down the country, at gov.uk/day-of-reflection.

Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “The pandemic impacted us all in different ways, with many sadly losing loved ones and others making great sacrifices in their lives. 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.”

NHS Coronavirus Vaccine
Covid vaccine (NHS)

Chair of the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration, Baroness Morgan of Cotes said: “It is right that, as a country, we take the time to remember the COVID-19 pandemic, to reflect on what happened, remember those whose lives were impacted in so many ways and honour those who tragically lost their lives. Today is an opportunity for communities to come together to reflect and commemorate their loved ones.”

The COVID-19 Day of Reflection is one of the 10 recommendations set out by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration.

The government says it is giving careful consideration to the recommendations made by the Commission and adds that a full response will be published in due course.