One minute silence at midday for ‘day of reflection’ after year of pandemic

Residents across Wrexham are being encouraged to join in remembrance and take part in today’s event to commemorate the anniversary of the first lockdown.

It has been one year since people across the UK were told to stay home to help stop the spread of the virus.

When the first national lockdown was announced the total number of recorded deaths linked to coronavirus in the UK stood at 335 and in Wales 4 on that date. There since been over 126,000 in the UK and 5,488 suspected Covid-19 deaths reported to Public Health Wales in Wales.

Since the March lockdown there have been significant restrictions on people’s lives – including not being able to see loved ones, visit relatives or friends in hospitals and care homes, social distancing, mask wearing and until recently – the requirement to stay at home.

We’ve also seen the introduction a firebreak, local lockdowns and a further national lockdown all taking place within the last 12 months in attempts to mitigate the pandemic.

To mark the first anniversary of the March 2020 lockdown, people are being encouraged to take part in a national one minute silence at midday as part of a ‘day of reflection’.

Members of the public are being invited to take part in the commemorations by drawing and placing a yellow heart in your window, by placing yellow fairy lights or daffodils in your window, lighting a candle; fastening yellow ribbons to a tree, checking in with someone and sharing stories.

Buildings and various landmarks will be lit up yellow as a mark of unity and there will also be a National Coronavirus Commemorative Event broadcast later today.

Ifor ap Glyn the National Poet of Wales will read a poem written especially for the Commemoration and the Morriston Hospital Emergency Department Choir have recorded a special performance for the event.

The First Minister has also said:

Over the last 12 months, the pandemic has turned all our lives upside down.

Too many families have lost loved ones and close friends and so many people haven’t had a chance to say goodbye because of all the changes coronavirus has meant to our lives.

It’s really important we have an opportunity to come together to reflect on the last year and to unite to support each other through this tough time.

The National Coronavirus Commemorative Event will presented by Huw Edwards and broadcast at 5:15pm on BBC One Wales and S4C.