- COVID-19 Day of Reflection today will be marked with local events in communities up and down the country
- Members of the public invited to take part in the COVID-19 Day of Reflection in ways that are meaningful for them
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.
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.
- In Scotland, Covid19 Families Scotland will be hosting an event outdoors at Glasgow Green which includes a piper, choir and minute’s silence.
- In Treorchy, South Wales, the COVID-19 bereaved will gather and remember their loved ones and place named flags in a yellow heart made of local stones, which was created in 2021 on Bwlch Mountain. The yellow heart became a memorial to all those that died from COVID-19 in Wales and has been brought back to its former glory by the COVID-19 bereaved group this year.
- In Belfast, Northern Ireland, Memory Stones of Love, who are a group set up by bereaved families during the pandemic, will be marking the day by holding a remembrance concert with music, poems and readings, as well as displaying their stones with inscriptions of those we lost during the pandemic.
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.”
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 ten recommendations set out by the UK Commission on Covid Commemoration.
The government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations made by the Commission and a full response will be published in due course.
COVID-19 DAY OF REFLECTION:
Message of thanks from NHSGGC Chair
TODAY, Sunday 9th March at 12 noon, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) will join organisations across Scotland in a minute’s silence to remember those we lost and honour the commitment and sacrifice of all our health and social care staff throughout the COVID pandemic.
The silence is part of a national Day of Reflection to mark the fifth anniversary of the pandemic and, ahead of that event, NHSGGC’s Chair, Dr Lesley Thomson KC, reflects on what was an incredibly difficult time and shares a message of thanks and tribute to staff, patients and members of the public:
“On Sunday 9th March, the nation will come together to reflect on the pandemic – to pause and think back to a set of challenges few, if any, of us had ever experienced before.
“The fear and uncertainty, the pressure on our all services through increased demand and through the requirement for strict measures to keep us all safe.
“The loss of friends and loved ones. The sheer sadness that swept the entire country. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to all those who lost someone close to them.
“Health and social care staff, ambulance crews, police, fire services, shop workers, other essential staff. Those who were furloughed and others who endured so much uncertainty about what the future would bring. Every one of us will remember just how tough those days were.
“But, across NHSGGC, we should also remember how everyone stepped up – how we rose to meet the tasks we faced.
“We supported each other, looked out for our colleagues and friends, and we cared for those who were struggling. Within weeks we had adopted new ways of working and we had embraced new technology – all in the pursuit of the best possible care for our patients.
“To those people, those thousands of staff who did so much for our patients, we would like to say thank you. Thank you for the long hours, for the time away from your families, for the courage it took to put on that PPE and head out for your shift.
“We would also like to pay tribute to our patients, and the public. For your forbearance and flexibility, your patience throughout difficult times. For the way you gathered every week in support of our staff. Your appreciation will never be forgotten.
“As time passed, the vaccine came and case numbers fell. Across the country, life began to adapt to a new semblance of normal.
“But the reality is we’re still dealing with the legacy of those difficult times. As is the case right across the country, NHSGGC’s services still face considerable challenges.
“Every day, every one of our staff is doing all they can to address those challenges and to make sure our patients get access to the best care we can provide.
“We would like to thank them all once more for that new commitment – whether they worked through the pandemic or have joined the NHSGGC family more recently.
“We would also like to thank our patients and members of the public for your ongoing support.
“But please be assured – we are turning a corner.
“The challenges of COVID forced us to adopt new ways of working. The use of digital technology and AI, the commitment to help more people more quickly through day surgeries and virtual care – all of these changes have brought with them a new set of opportunities to provide the care our patients need.
“However, while they bed in, we must ask something more from you – that you continue to work with us and to embrace new ways of accessing care.
“It may be a willingness to try a virtual appointment or a phone consultation, or maybe thinking twice before going to A&E and instead calling 111.
“COVID-19 has started us on a path from which there is no going back, and we need to embark on that journey side by side.
“Our commitment to your care will never waver – that is the constant you can always rely on. But just like you did back in 2020, as we all lived through those dark days, we ask you to trust us once more as we take this journey together – to a
new NHS, shaped by the pandemic but designed for the next century of healthcare.
“So on Sunday 9th March we invite you to join the nation in a moment’s reflection, to mark the loss and the sacrifice, to remember with pride the commitment, professionalism and teamwork – and to move forward together to a new future.”
NHS LOTHIAN:
On this National Day of Reflection, we take a moment to remember & honor those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’re offering another chance to see our staff’s reflections on working through one of the most extraordinary chapters in recent history:
For more on how you can take part in the Day of Reflection, go to: COVID-19 Day of Reflection 2025
