A minute’s silence will be held on Tuesday 28 April, International Workers’ Memorial Day, to remember those who have died while working on the front line during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The government has confirmed that 82 NHS staff and 16 carers have been died due to Covid-19 so far, however delays in reporting mean the actual figure is expected to be higher, with estimates suggesting more than 100 NHS staff have died.
As well as NHS staff, bus drivers, carers and police officers have also died after catching Covid-19 during the pandemic.
The call for a minute’s silence came from nursing unions, and have been endorsed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said: “We will be supporting the minute’s silence.
“We will be asking everybody who works in the Government to take part and we would hope that others will take part nationwide as well.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer has supported plans for the silence, he said: “Our key workers are literally putting their lives on the line in the fight against the coronavirus. They represent the best of us.”
Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford – First Ministers for Scotland and Wales respectively – have also said they will observe the silence.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “I am very pleased the Prime Minister is going to be taking part in the silence tomorrow.
“This moment will bring together a sombre but grateful nation. Whether in nursing or driving buses, our heroes kept going to work when many had the luxury of staying at home. Nobody should go out to work and risk their life.
“This must not be the last time that sacrifice is recognised. The country and its leaders owes a tremendous debt to these key workers and the many more who are on shift again today.”
What time is the minute’s silence?
The minute’s silence will take place at 11am on Tuesday April 28, and is being supported on social media with the hashtag #neverforgotten
