Luton Town Hall to be lit in yellow to mark one year since coronavirus lockdown

The first anniversary of the Covid-19 lockdown will be marked this Tuesday, March 23, in Luton as part of a National Day of Reflection.

The Town Hall in St George’s Square will be lit up in yellow and residents across the town are invited to observe silent tributes to remember those who have died or suffered from the virus either through illness or bereavement.

More than 146,000 people have died from the disease in the UK since the start of the pandemic, including nearly 500 in Luton.

People are being encouraged to observe a first minute’s silence at 12 noon and later, at 8pm they will be invited to shine their torches or mobile phone lights from outside their homes, to show silent support and solidarity for the millions of people affected across the world.

Luton Borough Council leader, Cllr Hazel Simmons said: “The past year has been incredibly traumatic and challenging for the people of Luton along with rest of the UK. So many people have lost loved ones and have been denied the chance to pay tribute and say goodbye in a way they would have wanted.

”This National Day of Reflection is an opportunity not to just look back over the past year but to look forward with the hope of better things to come. The people of Luton, as ever, have shown incredible resilience in such times of adversity and they have been magnificent in supporting their own communities, especially those who are vulnerable or in need.

“Please join me in taking out a few moments of your day to reflect upon the past year and to focus ahead in building for the future and ensuring that Luton comes out of this dark period, stronger and more prosperous than before.”

Doorsteps will light up throughout the UK and there will be ‘virtual’ community-led activities to reflect on the past year. Prominent buildings and iconic landmarks around the country will be lit up in yellow as a beacon of hope and solidarity.

People are reminded that national lockdown restrictions remain in force. This has played a significant part in reducing the number of transmissions of the infection along with washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings, keeping a safe distance and testing twice weekly and now taking the vaccine when offered.

All these measures are helping to control the spread of the virus and reduce the number of deaths.

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the charity Marie Curie, which is promoting the event, added: "The last year has been one of the most traumatic and uniting in modern history. With so many of us losing someone close, our shared sense of loss is incomparable to anything felt by this generation.

"Many of us have been unable to say a real goodbye or comfort our family, friends, and colleagues in their grief.  we need to acknowledge that and recognise we are not alone.

"That's why on March 23, it is important that we reflect on our collective loss, celebrate the lives of the special people no longer here, support those who've been bereaved and look towards a much brighter future."