UK marks one year since first Covid-19 lockdown

London, March 24 : Britain marked one year since British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first coronavirus lockdown in the country last year.
On March 23, 2020, Johnson unveiled measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. A total of 126,172 people have died so far from Covid-19, according to the latest official figures, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.
A national minute’s silence was held at midday as part of a day of reflection. Britons are also encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 20:00 GMT with phones, candles and torches to remember the past year.
Johnson said in a statement: “The last 12 months has taken a huge toll on us all, and I offer my sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones.” “Today, the anniversary of the first lockdown, is an opportunity to reflect on the past year — one of the most difficult in our country’s history,” he added.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC that the past year has been “probably the hardest year in a generation” but treatments and vaccines now provided “hope”.