Havering Council remembers first coronavirus lockdown
Havering Council is marking the first anniversary of the Covid 19 pandemic and first national lockdown in England.
The Council will lead commemorations, giving residents a chance to pause and reflect on a year like no other.
Havering residents and staff are invited to take part in a national minute’s silence at midday on Tuesday, 23 March 2021.
The Town Hall, Romford, will also be lit up in yellow, the colour of the Marie Curie #DayOfReflection.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a tragic and unprecedented time of loss for many families, as well as hardship for all communities across our borough.
The virus has now claimed the lives of 861 Havering residents.
The Council has produced a commemorative book, to include residents’ messages of remembrance and thanks.
The online book is an opportunity to remember those we have lost.
Residents can also give thanks to individuals and organisations that have gone above and beyond to help people across the borough through lockdown.
Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“This has been a tragic year for so many, and my heartfelt condolences go out to each of you living with the loss of a loved one.
"We are developing plans for a memorial garden to have a lasting memory for all we have lost to this awful virus.
“But it has also been a year where we’ve seen the best of our Havering spirit.
"I am so proud of the way residents, the Council, our staff, partners, and the voluntary sector came together to tackle this pandemic head-on.
"The huge show of kindness throughout the year has left me truly humbled.
“This comes alongside the wealth of support we’ve provided to our most vulnerable residents and businesses.
"Our ‘Havering Helps’ fund worth nearly £4.5 million has included free school meals for families, help with heating homes and assistance getting food and medicines.
“After such a challenging year, we should now look to the recovery roadmap and the vaccination programme for hope.
"More than 80,000 Havering residents have now had their first vaccination.
"By continuing to work together, and doing our bit to stop the spread of the virus, we can all look forward to better days ahead.”
For further information about the wide range of support available, please visit our Coronavirus (Covid-19) information page.