TIMELINE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 2020-2021

2020

9th Jan.​​1st reported death, Wuhan.

10th Jan. ​The UK had developed a prototype specific laboratory test for the new disease.

11th Mar. ​Pandemic declared. High levels of cases in Western Europe, especially Italy.

16th Mar.​UK Government advised against non-essential travel and social contact, suggesting people work from home and avoid venues such as pubs, restaurants, and theatres.

20th Mar.​UK government ordered all leisure establishments to close. Schools closed. The chancellor announced that the government would cover 80% of the salaries of retained workers.

26th Mar.​Ban on non-essential travel and outdoor activity. These restrictions were enforceable by police through fines. Most non-essential businesses were ordered to close. There were no checks on travellers arriving from abroad at this stage.

21st Apr.​Peak of 1,168 deaths in one day during the 1st wave(UK). Measures to control the virus were being hampered by lack of testing kits and protective clothing.

10th May​. Prime Minister urged those who could not work from home to go to work, avoiding public transport if possible.Unlimited outdoor exercise encouraged. Driving to outdoor destinations within England permitted.

1st Jun.​ Primary schools in England reopened to some reception, year 1 and year 6 pupils with social distancing measures.Non-essential shops reopened across the UK during themonth.

15th Jun. ​Face masks became compulsory on all public transport inEngland.

24th Jul.​ Face coverings made compulsory in most indoor shops and public spaces.

31st July​. Delay in a further easing of lockdown restrictions in England due to an increase in cases.

28th Aug. ​Announcement of the reopening of schools at full capacity in England, later restricted to primary schools.

8th Sept. ​Gatherings of separate households restricted to groups of six, excluding work and schools.

21st Sept. The UK coronavirus alert level upgraded from 3 to 4, indicated the disease transmission rate was ‘high or rising exponentially’.

14th Oct. ​A three-tier legal framework was introduced in England through local and regional lockdowns.

5th Nov.​ A four-week national lockdown, when pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and non-essential shops would close. Schools, colleges and universities would remain open. The furlough scheme was extended to the end of November.

25th Nov.​ Peak of 697 deaths in one day during the 2nd wave(UK).

2nd Dec.​ Lockdown replaced by a three-tier system.

8th Dec. ​The immunisation campaign started with the Pfizervaccine.

14th Dec.​ A new more transmissible variant detected in Kent.

19th Dec. ​Lockdown rules tightened with relaxation for Christmas day only.

 

2021

Jan​. ​Schools remained closed after the Christmas holiday.

8th Jan.​ 22 people tested positive in Overton and North Waltham in the previous week, the highest number at any time during the pandemic. 

20th Jan. ​Peak of 1,823 deaths in one day during the 3rd wave(UK).

22nd Feb.​The Prime Minister laid out a roadmap for lifting lockdown, including a four-step plan for England.

8th Mar. ​Schools re-opened

29th Mar. ​Two households or six people allowed to meet outdoors, travel permitted outside local area.

6th Apr.​ 60% of adults (over 18) had received first dose of vaccine, 10% had received a second dose.

12th Apr. ​Opening of non-essential retail and personal services.

17th May. ​Most rules affecting outdoor social contact to be removed. Foreign travel permitted to certain countries.

21st Jun.  ​All lockdown limits to be removed.