The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and the world of work.
National Lockdown
Stonehenge, deserted on 26 March. After weeks of speculation, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a national lockdown on 23 March to tackle the spread of coronavirus. In a TV address, he said: "From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home."
Empty Street
England's third national lockdown legally come into force after Britain's Prime
Minister Boris Johnson order of a new national lockdown which allows people to
leave their homes for limited reasons, with measures expected to stay in place
until mid-February due to the surge new coronavirus cases. Not just London, all of
the UK is now under strict virus curbs, with Wales, Northern Ireland and most of Scotland also imposing in lockdown. Here are the pictures that show an earily
empty England.
Tradition of People Clapping
A national weekly tradition of people clapping outside their homes began on 27 March. The gesture was a display of gratitude for the work of the NHS and care workers in treating people with coronavirus. The initiative was devised by Annemarie Plas, from London, who was inspired by the same event happening in her home country of the Netherlands.
Work from Home
Working from home during the covid-19 lockdown: Changing preferences and the future of work.
Company closures and layoffs
In the meantime, not everyone has managed to keep their jobs. Small, independent companies have also suffered substantial losses during this "pandemic year."
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly common
Pupils from Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, greet each other on their first day of term as schools in England reopen on 2 September after the coronavirus lockdown.
Ups and Downs
Life is full if ups and downs, success and failure, joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments. There are days when life goes on as usual without any remarkable things happening to us. There are some days when almost everything goes wrong. And there are a few days when life springs surprises on us.
Second Wave
While the second wave of the coronavirus epidemic has set off alarm bells, a reassuring sign is that the severity of the disease appears to be significantly less
than before, as is evident from the declining death rate.
A surge in depression and anxiety
Isolation and fear of infection are two factors contributing to a rise in anxiety and depression amid the pandemic.
Looking forward
With the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and successful vaccine candidates,
there is renewed optimism that the world will eventually open up.
