It’s now over 100 days since Boris Johnson Prime Minister (PM) declared the United Kingdom in lockdown due to the Coronavirus COVID-19. The Government has already announced some restrictions reductions and that they predict there will be more to follow. However, it’s important we look back and don’t forget the journey we as a nation have come on so far since our country first shut down due to Covid-19.
6 March
First covid-19 UK death registered
23 March
In a televised speech to the nation, the prime minister told us all about the new rules that were to control our lives. “STAY AT HOME” except for essential reasons daily 1-hours exercise once a day, food shopping and work if it is necessary and all non-essential shops shut. All social and business events were cancelled, and no more than two people could gather in public. Anyone who did had to keep two metres' distance from others.
25 March
Prince Charles announced he had the coronavirus. Emergency powers were rushed through parliament to become law. The weekly Thursday evening round of applause began for frontline NHS workers their service and lasted until the 28th May 10 weeks.
27 March
Boris Johnson PM, and Matt Hancock health secretary, tested positive for the virus with Chris Whitty England's chief medical officer showing symptoms.
29 March
Dr Jenny Harries, England's deputy chief medical officer, forecasted that it would take at least half a year for life to return to normal and only then will lockdown be lifted gradually.
3 April
The first Nightingale Hospital opened at the ExCel Centre in London capable of holding up to 4,000 patients. Later the project was criticised as so few people were admitted.
5 April:
Boris Johnson admitted to St Thomas' hospital and the following day admitted into the intensive care unit.
Catherine Calderwood resigns, Scotland's chief medical officer, for breaching restrictions visiting her 2nd home.
12 April:
The UK's coronavirus hospital death toll passes the 10,000 mark
Boris Johnson discharged from hospital to recuperate at Chequers
15 April
3,200 fines have been given out for alleged breaches of lockdown to date’
16 April
99-year-old Captain Tom Moore completed 100 laps of his garden to raise money for the NHS. He raised over £30 million and was awarded a knighthood.
21 April
Harrogate Nightingale hospital opened available for up to 500 patients – no patients admitted to date
22 April
First ever Parliamentary MPs video link during Prime Minister's Questions.
23 April:
University of Oxford begin to test a potential Covid-19 vaccine on human volunteers.
27 April
Boris Johnson returns to work in Downing Street.
5 May
UK had the highest covid-19 deaths in Europe with more than 32,000 deaths
6 May
Professor Neil Ferguson a scientific adviser to the government, quits his role with Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) after admitting that he broke social distancing rules.
10 May
PM unveils new "STAY ALERT" slogan, replacing the "stay home" message. Wales, Northern Irelands and Scotland’s Leaders found the message unclear and didn’t change it
22 May
Quarantine measures announced everyone entering the UK from 8 June were required to share their contact details and then self-isolate for 14 days. Noncompliance £1,000 fine implemented in England.
25 May
Dominic Cummings PM’s chief aide gave a defensive press conference over allegations he breached lockdown restrictions travelling to Durham and an Easter Sunday drive from his parents' property to Barnard Castle, he claimed was to test his eyesight. PM didn’t dismiss him, even with national public anger over the incident.
1 June
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 across England allowed to return to school depending on classroom size. With no more than Groups of six able to meet up outdoors following social distancing guidance.
9 June
Education secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed that not all primary school students will return to the classroom before the summer. Parents concerned about how their children would catch up academically.
10 June
Prof Ferguson explains that the UK coronavirus death toll would have been 50 %lower if lockdown had been introduced a week earlier. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development predicted that Britain's economy would suffer the most of any country in the developed world.
13 June
"Support bubbles" introduced, permitting those in single adult households to stay overnight at another home.
15 June
Non-essential shops, zoos, safari parks and places of worship for private prayer reopen in England.
Face masks compulsory wearing on public transport in England.
17 June
The Premier League returned playing matches behind closed doors with Liverpool later crowned champions of for the first time in 30 years.
18 June
The government U-turn over its tracing app as hadn’t delivered it in May 2020 as promised. They agreed to work with Apple and Google. A new app was predicted to be ready this time in the autumn or winter 2020.
23 June
PM announced: it was to be the last government daily coronavirus brief: Relaxing social distancing rules to a "one-metre plus" rule: Pubs, cinemas and restaurants could reopen from 4 July:
25 June
That now two households to form a support bubble, at least one of the households must be a single adult household
26 June
In the heatwave thousands of people flocked to the beaches. PM warned of a "serious spike" in Covid-19 infections as people were "taking liberties".
28 June
British people refused job interviews in Europe due to Brexit
30 June
Leicester becomes the first UK city to be placed back into a local lockdown
Over 45,474 covid-19 specific UK deaths registered to date (this does not include UK’s 2020excessive deaths which takes it over 62000)
We all need to stop and reflect now on what the world will look like in another 4 months if we don’t take great care NOW!!
Also Knowing what we do know now, what steps should we be taking should another spike hit us? we mustn’t forget what we have learnt as the first local lockdown is already back to hit us.
