Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom (2021)

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Chart of UK COVID-19 cases, by date reported, up to 7 February 2021 (government data, updated daily[1])
Chart of UK COVID-19 deaths, within 28 days of positive test, up to 7 February 2021 (government data, updated daily[1])

The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom during 2021. There are significant differences in the legislation and the reporting between the countries of the UK: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. The numbers of cases and deaths are reported on a government Web site updated daily during the pandemic.[1] The UK-wide COVID Symptom Study based on surveys of four million participants, endorsed by authorities in Scotland and Wales, run by health science company ZOE, and analysed by King's College London researchers,[2] publishes daily estimates of the number of new and total current COVID-19 infections (excluding care homes) in UK regions, without restriction to only laboratory-confirmed cases.[3]

Events[edit]

January 2021[edit]

1 January[edit]

  • New Year celebrations are quieter than normal because of COVID restrictions,[4] but several instances of police breaking up illegal parties are reported from around the UK.[5] They include a party at a 500-year-old church in Essex in which the building is damaged by revellers.[6]
  • The R number, the rate at which the virus is transmitted, is estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.3, but a study from Imperial College London suggests the new COVID strain may have actually increased the R number by between 0.4 and 0.7.[7]
  • Saffron Cordery, of NHS Providers, the body that represents hospital trusts, warns the next few weeks will be "nail-bitingly difficult" for the NHS, with staff absences because of the new variant of COVID.[8]
  • A further 53,285 COVID cases are recorded, along with 613 deaths.[9]

2 January[edit]

  • As a further 57,725 COVID cases are recorded for the UK, the largest daily number so far, senior doctor Professor Andrew Goddard warns that hospitals across the UK could face the same level of pressure seen in London and the South East in recent days.[10]
  • Batches of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine begin to arrive at hospitals throughout the UK in preparation for vaccination to begin on Monday 4 January.[11]
  • Fiona Godlee, an editor of The BMJ, has asked The New York Times to correct an article that claimed health officials in the UK will allow people to receive doses of two different COVID vaccines, describing the story as one that is "seriously misleading and requires urgent correction".[12]
  • BBC News reports that a number of healthcare workers have criticised the process involved in becoming verified to administer the vaccine, which include answering questions on whether they are trained in how to prevent radicalisation.[13]

3 January[edit]

  • A further 54,990 COVID-19 cases are recorded, the sixth day the daily figure has exceeded 50,000.[14]
  • Hospitalized COVID patients reaches 26,626, with 24,316 patients in general beds; COVID represents 30% of NHS hospital capacity.[15]
  • On the eve of the rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that he expects "tens of millions" of COVID vaccinations to be given over the coming three months; 530,000 doses of the vaccine are ready at hospitals and GPs surgeries to be administered.[16]
  • Boots and Tesco have offered to help with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations.[17]
  • Jo Stevens, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and MP for Cardiff Central, is reported to be in hospital where she is receiving treatment for COVID-19.[18]

4 January[edit]

  • Brian Pinker, 82, becomes the first person to receive the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID vaccine as vaccinations using the vaccine begin in the UK.[19]
  • Margaret Ferrier, the MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, is arrested by Scottish police and charged in connection with "alleged culpable and reckless conduct" for using public transport while experiencing COVID symptoms.[20]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson later confirms that England will enter a third lockdown from 5 January, with similar restrictions to the first lockdown in March 2020, including school closures to all pupils except from children of keyworkers and vulnerable children.
  • Another lockdown is announced in England[21] and Scotland.[22]
  • The UK's chief medical officers recommend the COVID alert level is moved from level four to level five.[23][24]

5 January[edit]

  • A further 60,916 new COVID-19 cases are confirmed, the largest daily number so far.[25]
  • The UK government says that 1.3 million people in the UK have so far received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.[26] Johnson also promises to provide daily updates on the number of vaccinations administered.[27]
  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces that businesses affected by the new lockdown will receive grants of up to £9,000 per property.[28]
  • GPs have been told to "stand down" routine patient care in favour of COVID vaccination in order to ensure the NHS can deliver 14 million vaccines by February.[29][30]
  • The BBC announces that programming for schools will air on BBC Two and CBBC, as well as online, during lockdown, starting from Monday 11 January.[31]
  • YouTube bans talkRADIO for allegedly violating its rules by posting information that contradicts expert advice about the COVID-19 pandemic, but reinstates the station within hours.[32]
  • With England and Scotland back in lockdown, personal trainer Joe Wicks confirms his plans to restart free online PE lessons on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting from 11 January.[33] A few days later, musician Bez of Happy Mondays also subsequently announces plans to launch an online fitness class, from 17 January.[34]
  • England's Chief Medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, suggests "a few" COVID restrictions may be required in Winter 2021–22 to control the virus, particularly if people do not adhere to the government's "stay at home" message.[35]

6 January[edit]

  • A further 62,322 new COVID-19 cases are confirmed, the largest daily number so far, a further 1,041 people have died, the largest daily number since April.[36] The number of people in hospital with COVID also tops 30,000, with 30,074 patients being treated.[37]
  • COVID hospital admissions reach 3,967, and begin to decline after this date.[38]
  • Fast food retailer McDonald's announces it will pause its walk-in takeaway service during lockdown.[39]
  • Annemarie Plas, founder of Clap for Our Carers, announces the weekly event will return from the following day, but under the name Clap for Heroes.[40]
  • Fraudsters are sending out fake text messages about the COVID-19 pandemic in an attempt to get hold of people's bank details, it is reported.[41]

7 January[edit]

  • NHS trials of two anti-inflammatory drugs, tocilizumab and sarilumab, have indicated they can cut the number of COVID deaths by a quarter.[42]
  • The revived Clap for Heroes initiative is met with a quieter response than its previous run in Spring 2020, with founder Annemarie Plas, distancing herself from it after receiving online abuse.[43]
  • National Express announces the suspension of its entire coach fleet from midnight on 10 January.[44]
  • The UK government announces that road haulage drivers crossing the English Channel will continue to need a recent negative COVID test until further notice.[45]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the armed forces are to help with the rollout of COVID vaccines, while 1,000 GP surgeries will be able to administer "hundreds of thousands" of vaccines per day by 15 January. 1.5 million vaccine doses have been given so far.[46]

8 January[edit]

  • The Moderna vaccine becomes the third COVID vaccine to be given approval for use in the UK.[47]
  • Sadiq Kahn, the Mayor of London, declares a "major incident" in London, where he says COVID is "out of control".[48]
  • Research from the COVID Symptom Study suggests COVID cases increased by a third in the UK and reached 70,000 new cases a day between 26 December and 3 January, while the Office for National Statistics estimates 1.2 million people had COVID over the same time period.[49]
  • The R number is estimated to be between 1.0 and 1.4.[50]
  • The UK records its largest number of daily COVID-related deaths so far, with 1,325 new deaths, bringing the total to 79,833. The figure surpasses 21 April 2020, when there were 1.224 deaths.[51] However, average deaths are estimated to be two thirds of the peak in April, suggesting the high daily total may have occurred as a result of a backlog in reporting deaths over the Christmas period.[52]
  • An England-wide advertising campaign launches on television, fronted by Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, urging people to stay at home and act as though they have COVID.[53]

9 January[edit]

  • A further 1,035 COVID-related deaths take the total past 80,000 to 80,868.[54]
  • People travelling from the UK to the Republic of Ireland must produce a negative COVID test before being allowed to enter that country.[55]
  • With the exception of British and Irish nationals, travellers from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Mauritius and Seychelles, are banned from entering England because of the South Africa COVID strain.[56]
  • Buckingham Palace confirms that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip have received COVID vaccinations, which were administered by a royal doctor at Windsor Castle.[57]
  • The Hacking Trust, a property investment company, has approached staff at GP surgeries offering to pay £5,000 for unused COVID vaccines. A spokesman for the Institute of General Practice Management describes the story as "just appalling".[58]

10 January[edit]

  • Professor Peter Horby, chair of the government's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group tells the Andrew Marr Show "we are now in the eye of the storm" and "it was bad in March, it's much worse now."[59]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells the BBC that everybody in the top four most vulnerable groups will be offered a vaccine by 15 February, while every adult in the UK will be offered one by the autumn.[60] Hancock also says that the NHS is under "very serious pressure" and warns people that "flexing the rules" could be fatal.[61]
  • As the National Police Chiefs' Council issues guidelines telling police officers to issue fines more quickly for breaches of COVID regulations, Home Secretary Priti Patel defends the way police have handled lockdown breaches, and says they "will not hesitate" to enforce the rules.[62]
  • Jeremy Brown, Professor of Respiratory Infection at University College London and a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation, has suggested children may have to stay in isolation until they have been vaccinated.[63]
  • Online retailer Ocado warns customers of possible shortages because of the pandemic, with the possibility of "an increase of missing items and substitutions over the next few weeks".[64]

11 January[edit]

  • Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of NHS England, has described online videos reported to show empty hospitals as "a lie". The videos, which Stevens says are mostly filmed by people walking through empty hospital corridors, have been used to argue claims the NHS is being overwhelmed by the pandemic are an exaggeration.[65]
  • Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, says that the UK will go through the "most dangerous time" in the weeks before the deployment of COVID vaccines begin to have an impact.[66]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms that 2.3 million people have now received a COVID vaccine.[67]
  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak warns the economy will "get worse before it gets better".[68]
  • Figures released by the British Retail Consortium indicate that retailers experienced their worst year of sales in 2020, with sales down by 0.3% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[69]
  • Supermarket retailers Morrisons and Sainsbury's announce their intention to prevent customers who refuse to wear face coverings from entering their premises; Sainsbury's will also challenge people who shop in groups.[70]
  • Eye health charity Fight for Sight warns of the damage too much screentime during lockdown could cause to people's eyesight.[71]

12 January[edit]

  • The United Arab Emirates is removed from the UK's quarantine exemption list, requiring anyone travelling from there to self-isolate for ten days.[72]
  • Home Secretary Priti Patel urges people to "play [their] part" in following COVID rules, and says she will back the police in enforcing them.[73]
  • Tesco, Asda and Waitrose join Morrisons and Sainsbury's in banning customers from their stores who refuse to wear face coverings.[74]

13 January[edit]

  • A further 1,564 COVID related deaths are recorded, the highest daily number so far, which brings the total to 84,767. The deaths are largely spread throughout the preceding week, with some dating back to November 2020.[75][76]
  • The British Medical Association has called for doctors to be supplied with higher grade face masks to protect them against catching COVID-19.[77]
  • Plans to introduce requirements for pre-travel COVID testing for travellers entering the UK are postponed from Friday 15 January to Monday 18 January in order to give people time to prepare for the changes.[78]

14 January[edit]

  • The UK announces a travel ban on arrivals from South America, Portugal and Cape Verde over fears of a new variant of COVID from Brazil; the travel ban comes into force from Friday 15 January.[79]
  • With fears that COVID cases could overwhelm hospital space, some care homes have said that insurance issues prevent them from taking COVID patients.[80]
  • Conservative MP Steve Baker of the COVID Recovery Group warns Prime Minister Boris Johnson he could face a leadership challenge if the government does not ease COVID restrictions.[81]
  • The Conservative Party's Northern Research Group urges Chancellor Rishi Sunak to extend financial help packages for families and businesses as the uncertainty over COVID continues.[82]
  • As the weekly Clap for Heroes gets under way at 8pm, NHS staff gather outside Downing Street to protest at the government's handling of the COVID crisis.[83]

15 January[edit]

  • The R number is estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.3, a fall on the previous week, with data also suggesting there are signs the number of COVID cases are beginning to fall.[84]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the UK will close all travel corridors from Monday 18 January to "protect against the risk of as yet unidentified new Covid strains", and meaning that anyone travelling to the UK will need to provide a negative COVID test before embarking on their journey.[85]
  • Following a ruling by the Supreme Court, tens of thousands of small businesses will receive insurance payments covering losses accrued during the first lockdown of March 2020.[86]
  • The Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) orders The Daily Telegraph to publish a correction over a "significantly misleading" column written by Toby Young in July 2020, which claimed the common cold can provide "natural immunity" to COVID-19 and London was "probably approaching herd immunity".[87]

16 January[edit]

  • Groups representing medics, including the British Medical Association, have called for legal protection for doctors and nurses who make decisions on treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.[88]
  • Groups representing the UK aviation industry have said it "urgently" needs support if it is to survive losses brought about by the COVID pandemic.[89]
  • Epidemiologist Professor Neil Ferguson describes a new Brazilian strain of COVID as a "real cause for concern".[90]
  • UK holiday firms forecast a boom in "staycations" during 2021 once COVID restrictions are lifted.[91]
  • Figures released by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel have shown that incidents of child abuse increased by a quarter during the first lockdown that began in March 2020.[92]

17 January[edit]

  • Although places of worship are allowed to open for services during the present lockdowns in England and Wales, more than half of the Church of England's 14,000 parishes do not open for Sunday services due to safety concerns.[93]
  • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expresses its concern about employees being required to go into workplaces that are not COVID-compliant after it received 2,945 complaints about safety issues during the week of 6–14 January.[94]
  • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tells the BBC a decision on whether to extend the weekly £20 increase in Universal Credit is unlikely before the March budget.[95]
  • With 3.5 million COVID vaccines given, 324,000 in the last 24 hours, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the UK is "nearly on the home straight".[96]
  • Nadhim Zahawi, the Minister for Vaccine Deployment, says that the UK is averaging 140 vaccinations a minute.[97] Hancock says that half of those aged 80 and over have received a COVID vaccine.[98]

18 January[edit]

  • The number of people receiving a COVID vaccine exceeds four million.[99]
  • The House of Commons votes 278–0 to pass a non-binding motion calling for the government to extend the £20 Universal Credit top up beyond 31 March.[100]
  • Figures show that cases of COVID-19 have fallen by a quarter over the preceding week.[101]

19 January[edit]

  • A further 1,610 COVID-related deaths are reported, the largest number reported in a single day, taking the total past 90,000 to 91,470.[102][103] The figures do not represent the number of deaths on a particular day, but the number recorded by the government on a particular day, and some occurred previously.[104]
  • Health data shows that the number of COVID cases has fallen by 26.7% over the preceding week.[105]
  • GOV.uk confirms that 4.06 million people have received their first dose of COVID vaccine, with half of those aged over 80 having been vaccinated.[106]
  • Figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest that one in ten had been infected with COVID in the period from the beginning of the outbreak up to December 2020.[107][108]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces he is self-isolating after receiving an alert from NHS COVID-19 telling him he has come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.[109]
  • A number of criminal justice watchdogs have expressed "grave concerns" over the backlog of cases in England and Wales, where 54,000 cases are waiting to be heard. This means cases from 2020 may not be heard until 2022, and there are fears it could damage the justice system for a number of years.[110]

20 January[edit]

  • A further 1,820 deaths are reported of people who died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, the highest daily figure so far, and bringing the total to 93,290. The high number is due to delays in reporting some deaths; at least a quarter of those recorded on this date occurred during the preceding week or earlier.[111][112]
  • A video obtained by the politics website Guido Fawkes shows Home Secretary Priti Patel telling a group of Conservative supporters she was an "advocate" of closing the UK borders in March 2020 as a way of slowing the spread of COVID-19.[113]
  • Travel operator Saga announces that anyone going on one of its cruises in 2021 must be vaccinated against COVID-19.[114]

21 January[edit]

  • A further 1,290 deaths are reported within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19.[115]
  • The latest vaccination figures indicate that almost five million people have received their first dose of COVID vaccine.[116]
  • At a Downing Street Press Conference, Home Secretary Priti Patel announces that fines of £800 for anyone attending a house party of more than 15 people will be introduced in England from the following week.[117]
  • Figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) show that a quarter of COVID-related crimes in the first six months of the pandemic were made up of assaults against emergency workers.[118]

22 January[edit]

  • The R number is estimated to be between 0.8 and 1, meaning the epidemic is shrinking, while Office for National Statistics suggest infection levels have either plateaued or are beginning to decline.[119]
  • At a Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says early evidence suggests the new COVID variant discovered in the UK may have a higher mortality rate, but that there is huge uncertainty over the figures and vaccination is expected to work.[120]
  • The release date of the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, is delayed for a third time because of the COVID outbreak, and will now debut on 8 October 2021.[121]
  • The UK government launches its "Can you look them in the eyes?" ad campaign, featuring doctors, healthcare workers and COVID patients, urging people not to leave home unless for essential reasons.[122]

23 January[edit]

  • After Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested the new variant of COVID may be associated with higher mortality, scientists have played down his comments, with the co-author of a study cited by Johnson saying the strain's greater deadliness remains an "open question".[123]
  • Figures released by the UK government suggest the number of COVID patients on ventilators has passed 4,000 for the first time in the pandemic, with a total of 4,076 on ventilation the previous day.[124]
  • The British Medical Association has called for the time between the first and second doses of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to be halved from twelve to six weeks, describing the twelve week gap as "difficult to justify".[125]
  • A total of 6,329,968 doses of COVID vaccine have now been administered, with 5.8 million people having received their first dose. But England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam urges people to stick with the restrictions amid concerns people who have received the vaccine may stop following them.[126]
  • Guernsey enters its second lockdown with immediate effect after four cases of COVID are discovered on the island. The first lockdown was lifted on 11 June 2020 and the island had been free of the virus since then.[127]

24 January[edit]

  • Speaking to Sky News, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he would hope for schools to be open again by Easter, but whether they do or not will depend on the data.[128]
  • Figures show that 491,970 first vaccinations were administered over the most recent 24-hour period, the highest daily figure to date, bringing the total number so far to 6.3 million.[129]
  • Figures show that British employers made plans to cut 795,000 jobs during 2020 because of lockdown, but that job losses slowed towards the end of the year.[130]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that 77 cases of the South African variant of COVID have been identified in the UK.[131]
  • The Public and Commercial Services Union urges ministers to act after figures reveal that 500 people at the DVLA in Swansea have contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.[132]

25 January[edit]

  • A further 32 mass vaccination centres are confirmed as opening in the forthcoming week.[133]
  • Labour leader Keir Starmer announces he is self isolating after a recent contact tested positive for Covid-19.[134]
  • Hays Travel announces the closure of 89 of its 353 shops after business was affected by national restrictions.[135]

26 January[edit]

  • A further 1,631 deaths reported within 28 days of a positive COVID diagnosis take the total number of deaths recorded by the government past 100,000 to 100,162,[136] though figures released by the Office for National Statistics suggest the 100,000 figure was surpassed in the week to 15 January, when the cumulative number reached 104,000.[137]
  • England's Chief Medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, suggests the number of daily deaths is likely to come down "relatively slowly".[138]
  • The Opposition Labour Party calls for juries in England and Wales to be cut from twelve members to seven in order to clear the backlog of what it describes as the "gravest crisis" in the legal system since the Second World War.[139]

27 January[edit]

  • Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick says the government would almost certainly have handled the pandemic differently with the benefit of hindsight.[140]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson tells the House of Commons it will not be possible for schools to return in England after February half-term, but that he is hopeful it can begin to happen from 8 March. A final decision will depend on meeting vaccination targets, and schools will get two weeks notice before returning.[141]
  • People travelling to the UK from countries considered to be COVID hotspots will be required to quarantine in government hotels, it is announced, while anyone wishing to travel abroad will need to prove that they are making an essential trip. Policing will also be increased at air and seaports.[142]
  • An Office for National Statistics study indicates that coughing, fatigue, a sore throat and muscle pain may be more common in people who test positive for the new UK variant of COVID.[143]
  • Ahead of an expected visit to Scotland by Boris Johnson, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon suggests he should not make the trip as it is not classed as essential travel.[144]

28 January[edit]

  • After the European Union urges AstraZeneca to supply it with doses of vaccine from UK plants following a row with the EU over supplies, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says there "will be no interruption" to UK vaccine supplies.[145]
  • Large scale UK trials of the Novavax vaccine show it to be 89.9% efficient, and also effective against new variants of the virus.[146]
  • The United Arab Emirates, Burundi and Rwanda are added to the UK's "red list" of countries from where travel to the UK is banned, and takes effect from 1.00pm on Friday 29 January.[147]
  • Public Health England and Prime Minister Boris Johnson give their backing to the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine after Germany recommends it should only be given to people aged 65 and under. PHE describes it as offering "high levels of protection" while Johnson says he is not concerned by Germany's comments.[148]
  • The UK government withdraws a social media stay home advert because it was deemed to be sexist; the ad shows women home schooling children and doing domestic chores, while the only male featured is seen relaxing on a sofa.[149]
  • Figures show that fines for COVID breaches have increased by a third in the latest lockdown.[150]
  • A saliva COVID test developed by LampORE has shown promising results in detecting the virus, and could soon be offered to the public.[151]

29 January[edit]

30 January[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson writes an open letter praising parents for the way they have coped during the pandemic, telling him he is "in awe" of them.[158]
  • Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says he is "confident" vaccine supplies and the UK's vaccine programme can continue as planned, and that the EU "made a mistake" by triggering emergency provisions in the Brexit agreement.[159]
  • The latest government figures indicate that 8.9 million people have received their first COVID vaccine, with two thirds of those aged 75–79 having received the vaccine, and five out of six of those over 80 having done so.[160]
  • Figures published by the Department of Health and Social Care estimate that measures such as lockdown taken to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a further 100,000 non-COVID deaths. These deaths could be from missed cancer operations, job losses and people struggling with their mental health during lockdown, the figures suggest.[161]

31 January[edit]

  • This date marks one year since the United Kingdom recorded its first domestic cases of COVID-19.[162]
  • The latest figures show that 598,389 people received their first COVID vaccination on 30 January, the highest daily figure so far, bringing the number vaccinated so far to 8,977,329.[163][164]
  • Fundraiser and World War II veteran Captain Sir Tom Moore is admitted to hospital after testing positive for COVID-19.[165][166]
  • Following the COVID vaccine dispute, AstraZeneca agrees to supply the European Union with an extra nine million doses of its vaccine during the first quarter of 2021.[167][168]

February 2021[edit]

1 February[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms that around 80,000 residents over the age of 16 in areas of Surrey, London, Kent, Hertfordshire, Southport and Walsall are to be asked to take tests for the South African COVID-19 variant after 11 cases were identified that could not be linked to travel.[169]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms he will outline details for easing restrictions on 22 February, and says he is "optimistic" that people will be able to have summer holidays in 2021.[170] But he warns that although there are signs lockdown is working, it is too early to "take your foot off the throat of the beast" by easing restrictions.[171]
  • The government orders an extra 40 million doses of VLA2001, a vaccine from French biotech company Valneva SE, for availability later in the year and into 2022.[172]
  • The Isle of Man government lifts lockdown restrictions after the island has 20 days without any COVID cases. Shops, pubs and restaurants are allowed to reopen, while social distancing rules are scrapped. The Isle of Man is the only part of the British Isles to be free of COVID regulations.[173]

2 February[edit]

  • Public Health England says the Kent variant, itself a mutation of COVID-19, has mutated again, and is investigating "worrying" new genetic changes. Tests show cases of the new strain have a mutation called E484K that is present in the South Africa variant.[174]
  • The UK has now administered 10 million doses of COVID vaccine, a figure that includes 9.6 million first vaccinations.[174]
  • The UK records 16,840 COVID cases, the lowest daily figure since 9 December.[174]
  • Captain Sir Tom Moore dies aged 100 after testing positive for COVID-19.[175]
  • A study, yet to be published, suggests that a single dose of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine could lead to a "substantial" fall in the spread of COVID, and is 76% effective in the three months before the second dose is given.[176]

3 February[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock describes the results of a study into the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine as "absolutely superb".[177]
  • The team behind the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine say a new version capable of tackling COVID variants will be ready in the autumn if required.[178]
  • Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty says the UK is "on a downward slope of cases, hospitalizations and deaths", as the number of people receiving their first COVID vaccination passes 10 million.[179]
  • Tributes continue to be paid to Captain Sir Tom Moore; the UK government says his memory will be marked "properly and appropriately",[180] while a national clap is staged for him at 6.00pm.[181]
  • Ryanair is ordered to remove a "misleading" advert concerning the COVID-19 vaccine by the Advertising Standards Authority that encouraged people to book flights with the airline, claiming passengers could "Jab & Go". The ASA has received 2,370 complaints about the ads, the third highest number of complaints received by them concerning an ad campaign.[182]

4 February[edit]

  • The National Immunisation Schedule Evaluation Consortium launches a trial to determine whether giving different COVID vaccines for first and second vaccinations could provide better protection, and involves 800 volunteers.[183]
  • The Bank of England forecasts that the UK economy will shrink by 4.2% in the first three months of 2021, but then bounce back strongly as a result of society being able to open up again because of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.[184]
  • The UK government confirms 15 February as the start date for the hotel quarantine scheme that will require anyone returning from countries on the "red list" to quarantine at a government designated hotel for ten days at their own expense.[185]
  • Leading health charities urge the government to extend the extra £20 benefit for Universal Credit claimants beyond 31 March.[186]

5 February[edit]

  • The R number is estimated to be between 0.7 and 1 as figures from the Office for National Statistics show evidence that COVID cases in the UK are falling.[187]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces a target to offer all adults over the age of 50 a first COVID vaccination by May.[188]
  • In a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Boris Johnson discusses collaboration between the British and French governments to tackle COVID-19.[189]
  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces that small businesses will have longer to repay government sponsored loans taken out to protect them against the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The time period to repay these loans will be extended from six to ten years.[190]
  • Elections for local authorities, directly elected mayors and police and crime commissioners in England and Wales are to go ahead as scheduled on 6 May, but voters will be asked to bring their own pens to the polling station.[191]

6 February[edit]

  • Dr Clive Dix, chairman of the UK's Vaccine Taskforce, says he is "very optimistic" that the goal of vaccinating all people over the age of 50 can be achieved by May.[192]

7 February[edit]

  • The number of people receiving their first COVID vaccination passes 12 million.[193]
  • The UK government rules out the idea of issuing a vaccine passport for people who have been vaccinated after the Greek Prime Minister said his country would welcome British holidaymakers who have been vaccinated.[194]
  • A new study involving 2,000 people, and yet to be peer reviewed, suggests the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine offers "minimal protection" against the South African COVID variant but does protect against severe disease. In response to these results, Professor Sarah Gilbert, Oxford lead vaccine developer, says a modified version of the vaccine capable of tackling the South African variant should be ready by the autumn.[195]
  • Lord Falconer, the Shadow Attorney General, apologises after a Mail on Sunday article reported that he described the COVID-19 pandemic as a "gift that keeps on giving" for lawyers during an online law conference in June 2020.[196]

8 February[edit]

9 February[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that people required to quarantine in government authorised hotels from 15 February will be required to pay £1,750 for a ten day stay. The quarantine applies to anyone returning from the countries on the government's "red list", with anyone failing to quarantine at a hotel facing a fine of £10,000. Travellers who arrive in England and attempt to conceal their visit to a red list country by lying on their passport locator form will face a £10,000 fine and up to ten years in prison.[198] All travellers arriving by air into Scotland will be required to quarantine at a hotel for ten days.[199]
  • Figures relating to the NHS COVID-19 app show it has asked 1.7 million people in England and Wales to self-isolate since its launch.[200]
  • A report from the Women and Equalities Committee says that government policy throughout the pandemic has "repeatedly skewed towards men" and makes a number of suggestions to redress the balance.[201]
  • Online retailer Ocado has suggested that supermarket shopping has changed "for good" after a year in which many people were forced to shop online for the first time because of the pandemic.[202]

10 February[edit]

  • The latest vaccination figures show that 13,058,298 people have received their first COVID vaccine; Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges the two million people in the first four priority groups yet to be vaccinated to "come forward" in the coming week.[203]
  • Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urges people not to book holidays in the UK or overseas because of COVID, saying the government does not know "where we'll be" in the summer.[204]
  • A survey of 1,500 care services suggests vaccination of care staff is lagging behind the target, with at least half of facilities having at least 30% of their staff still unvaccinated.[205]
  • Elton John and Michael Caine have both featured in an ad campaign to encourage people to be vaccinated against COVID-19.[206]
  • Jonathan Van-Tam, England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, has expressed concern that uptake of COVID vaccination may not be "as rapid or as high" among ethnic minority communities.[207]
  • The World Health Organization has recommended use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine for all adults, even in countries where new variants of the virus are prevalent.[208]

11 February[edit]

  • New research shows the benefits of using tocilizumab, a drug used to treat arthritis, on hospital patients with COVID, with an extra life saved for every 25 patients given the drug.[209]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock reiterates comments that have been made about summer holidays by other officials, saying it is "too early" to know if they can go ahead.[210]

12 February[edit]

  • Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the UK economy shrank by 9.9% in 2020, the largest economic contraction on record. But the UK is likely to avoid a double dip recession because of economic growth at the end of the year.[211]
  • The latest R number is estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9, while figures from the Office for National Statistics show COVID cases falling in every part of the UK.[212]
  • The Jersey Government announces that pubs and restaurants can reopen from 22 February, but for table service only.[213]

13 February[edit]

14 February[edit]

  • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab rejects calls by the COVID Recovery Group to give a date for when restrictions will be eased.[216]
  • The UK reaches the target of vaccinating 15 million people before 15 February, something Prime Minister Boris Johnson describes as a "significant milestone".[217]
  • Online food delivery company Deliveroo and around 300 restaurant outlets have urged the government to run the "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme once restaurants are allowed to reopen.[218]
  • The latest daily figures show that 10,972 COVID cases have been recorded in the most recent 24 hours, the lowest number since 2 October 2020.[219]

15 February[edit]

  • British and Irish citizens arriving in the UK after 4.00am are required to quarantine at a government designated hotel for ten days.[220]
  • At a Downing Street press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson describes the achievement of the vaccination target as an "unprecedented national achievement", but urges people to be "optimistic but patient" over the COVID situation, and that he would like the present lockdown to be the last, saying the exit from it should be "cautious but irriversable".[221]
  • A father and daughter who became the first travellers to go into Scotland's quarantine programme after arriving from the United States have been told they can leave quarantine because of a loophole triggered after they stopped at Dublin during their journey, and thus meant they had arrived in Scotland from a country in the Common Travel Area that negates the need for them to quarantine.[222] In response, Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he is happy to discuss measures that would close the loophole.[223]
  • At a High Court hearing, the Good Law Project challenges the government's decision to hire Public First, a polling firm with links to former Downing Streeet special adviser Dominic Cummings for polling about COVID-19.[224]

16 February[edit]

17 February[edit]

  • The UK is to pioneer the first "human challenge" study involving COVID, in which healthy young volunteers will be infected with the virus to test vaccines and treatments.[227]
  • Researchers from King's College London and the COVID Symptom Study have urged the government to add fatigue, headache, sore throat and diarrhoea to the list of COVID symptoms, arguing it would help to detect 40% more cases.[228]

18 February[edit]

  • Imperial College London's React study has indicated COVID-19 infections in England have fallen by two-thirds since January, with an 80% drop in London.[229]
  • Justice Secretary Robert Buckland has said it may be legal for companies to insist on new staff being vaccinated as a condition of their employment, but that it is unlikely existing employees could be forced to have a vaccination by their bosses.[230]
  • University application figures show a 32% increase in the number of students applying to study nursing.[231]
  • Commercial television stations in the UK air a short film featuring celebrities urging people from ethnic communities to get vaccinated. Those appearing in the film include Sanjeev Bhaskar, Meera Syal and Romesh Ranganathan.[232]

19 February[edit]

20 February[edit]

  • As the number of people receiving their first COVID vaccine reaches 17 million, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces he wants the programme to "go further and faster" by offering every adult in the UK their first injection by 31 July.[237]
  • John Vincent, the co-founder of Leon Restaurants, has suggested that further extending lockdown will "cost lives" because businesses are losing money that should be going to their employees and to the government in taxes, both of which help to fuel the economy.[238]

21 February[edit]

  • Figures published by the Insolvency Service suggest 250 companies made plans to make a total of 32,000 people redundant in January 2021, the lowest monthly figures since the beginning of the pandemic, and a rise of 9% on January 2020.[239]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock says there is "early data" to suggest transmission of the virus is much lower among people who have been vaccinated, and that hospital admissions are falling "much more sharply" than during spring 2020.[240] He also confirms that one in three adults have now received their first COVID vaccination.[241]
  • Matt Hancock tells the BBC the delay in publishing details of contracts was "the right thing to do" because his team were focused on sourcing PPE equipment.[242]
  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency launches an investigation into Hinpack, a firm with no history of manufacturing medical products that was awarded a £30m contract to manufacture vials for COVID testing during the pandemic, and whose owner ran a pub near Matt Hancock's constituency.[243]

22 February[edit]

  • Research into the UK's vaccination programme suggests it is having a "significant" impact in reducing serious illness from COVID, with a single dose of vaccine reducing the risk of illness by three quarters in those over the age of 80.[244]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveils a four-step plan for ending coronavirus restrictions in England by 21 June. Subject to four tests on vaccines, infection rates and new variants being met, the plan will include the following:
    • Schools and colleges will reopen on 8 March, with outdoor schools activities allowed; universities will return at a later time:
    • Outdoor gatherings of up to six people or two households will resume from 29 March, along with grassroots sports:
    • Non-essential shops, hairdressers, gyms and outdoor hospitality will resume on 12 April:
    • Two households will be able to mix indoors, with the rule of six applying to pub settings from 17 May:
    • Legal limits on social contact to be lifted by 21 June:
  • Speaking in the House of Commons, Johnson describes the plan as "cautious but irreversible" and something that will be led by "data not dates", further adding that there is "no credible route to a zero-Covid Britain nor indeed a zero-Covid world".[245]
  • Following Johnson's announcement, airlines report a surge in holiday bookings.[246]

23 February[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells Sky News that plans to ease coronavirus could be slower than those outlined by the Prime Minister depending on infection rates.[247]
  • First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon unveils the Scottish Government's strategy for reopening the economy in Scotland. The plan includes the following:
    • All primary pupils, and senior pupils from Years S5 and S6 to return to the classroom on 15 March, but other secondary pupils may not return to school until after Easter. Also on 15 March, four people from two separate households to be allowed to meet up outdoors.
    • Scotland's stay at home restrictions could be lifted on 5 April.
    • The reopening of non-essential retail, restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers is expected to start from 26 April.[248]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a review into the idea of vaccine passports to allow people to go on holiday and into venues, describing the proposal as having "deep and complex issues".[249]
  • The Department of Health and Social Care confirms a million high grade masks used for the National Health Service have been withdrawn from use because they do not meet the right safety standards.[250]

24 February[edit]

  • The number of people to receive their first COVID vaccine reaches 18 million.[251]
  • A new government advertising campaign is launched urging people to "keep going" and maintain social distancing and other COVID-secure behaviour.[252]
  • The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has advised that everyone on the GP Learning Disability Register should be prioritised for COVID vaccination.[253]
  • The organisers of the Reading and Leeds Festivals say they are "confident" the event can go ahead in 2021 following the announcement of the easing of lockdown restrictions in England.[254]
  • Professor Stephen Powis, the National Clinical Director of NHS England warns people against following COVID treatment advice from celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, who wrote about a treatment she claimed she said had been recommended to her for Long COVID, Povis says they are "really not the solutions we'd recommend".[255]

25 February[edit]

  • The UK's COVID alert level is lowered from five to four as the threat of the virus overwhelming the NHS has "receded".[256]
  • Queen Elizabeth II takes part in a video call with health leaders helping to deliver the vaccine during which she urges people to get the vaccine when it is offered to them.[257]

26 February[edit]

  • The vaccine priority list for adults aged under 50 is announced, with people aged 40–49 the next group to receive a vaccination. But no occupations will be prioritised, despite campaigns by police officers and teachers for priority.[258][259]
  • The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest rates of COVID cases are continuing to fall, but England's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, warns some areas are "burning quite hot". Areas bucking the trend include parts of the Midlands, areas of the East and West Coast of England, and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, although these figures are not as high as in Autumn 2020.[260]
  • The R number remains below 1, with estimates of it being between 0.6 and 0.9.[261]

27 February[edit]

  • The funeral is held of Captain Sir Tom Moore, who died aged 100 earlier in the month.[262]
  • The latest government figures show that 19.6 million people had received their first COVID-19 vaccination as of 26 February, with 768,810 having received their second.[263]
  • As the UK enjoys a weekend of good weather and high temperatures, people descend on beaches and parks despite lockdown restrictions.[264]

28 February[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms the number of people receiving a first COVID vaccine has passed 20 million.[265]
  • Six cases of the Brazilian variant COVID have been detected in the UK, three in England and three in Scotland.[266]
  • Following a weekend of good weather during which people gathered on beaches and in parks SAGE adviser Professor Calum Semple warns "we could blow it by breaking the rules now" if people do not adhere to COVID rules.[267]
  • Research carried out by financial consultants LCP finds that lockdown has created six million unintentional savers in the UK among people who have kept their jobs but had fewer overheads on expenses such as travel, meals out and holidays.[268]

March 2021[edit]

1 March[edit]

2 March[edit]

  • On the eve of the budget, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng confirms the furlough scheme and VAT relief for hospitality businesses will continue "while lockdown persists".[275] It is subsequently confirmed the furlough scheme will run until the end of September 2021.[276]
  • Northern Ireland unveils what Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill describes as a "hopeful and cautious" exit strategy from lockdown, but unlike England and Scotland there is timetable for lifting the measures. Instead ministers will meet each week to assess the information available to them and decide which restrictions can be lifted. First Minister Arlene Foster acknowledges the frustration felt by people but says the Northern Ireland Executive has learnt a lot about the virus over the past year.[277]
  • The unidentified case of Brazilian variant COVID has been narrowed down to 379 households in South East England, all of which are being contacted by authorities.[278]
  • Twitter announces it will ban users who repeatedly share misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic.[279]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson offers to hold all Euro 2020 matches in the UK. The tournament, postponed because of COVID, is scheduled to take place across twelve countries with the UK hosting the semi-finals and finals.[280]
  • Howard Quayle, Chief Minister of the Isle of Man, announces a 21-day "circuit breaker" lockdown for the island following an increase in COVID cases there. The outbreak stems from a ferry worker with the virus.[281]

3 March[edit]

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivers his second budget in which he predicts a "swifter and more sustained" economic recovery after figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast the economy to grow by 4% in 2021 and 7.3% in 2022, bringing it back to its pre-pandemic size by mid-2022. Sunak also says that repairing the long-term damage to the economy "will take time",[282] and pledges to "protect the jobs and livelihoods of the British people".[283] Measures announced include:
    • An extension to the furlough scheme until the end of September 2021.[284]
    • A six month extension of the £20 Universal Credit top-up.[285][286]
    • No change to the rates of income tax, but an increase in corporation tax from 19% to 25% from April 2023.[285]
    • A three month extension to the business rates holiday, taking it to the end of June 2021.[287]
    • A three month extension to the stamp duty holiday until the end of June 2021.[288]
    • An increase on the contactless payment limit from £45 to £100 later in 2021.[289]
  • Essex based charity Kids Inspire reports that children are experiencing "heightened anxieties” because of lockdown, with some as young as three refusing to eat and frightened to leave home.[290]

4 March[edit]

  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issues guidelines allowing fast-tracked approval for new versions of existing COVID-19 vaccines developed to fight variants, similar to the existing rules for annual flu vaccines.[291]
  • Public Health England has added a new COVID variant to its watchlist after 16 cases were identified of a strain with similarities to the South African and Brazilian variants.[292]
  • Security services confirm that three terror plots against UK targets have been foiled since the start of the pandemic.[293]
  • A report into the NHS Test and Trace app shows that data from pub, restaurant and hairdresser QR codes was "barely used", creating the possibility that thousands of people were not warned they were at potential risk of being infected with COVID-19.[294]
  • David Ashford, the Isle of Man's Health Minister, announces that all adults on the island will receive their first COVID vaccination by the end of May. An increase in vaccine deliveries means it will shortly be possible to administer up to 1,000 vaccinations per day.[295]
  • The Big Festival, cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, is confirmed for 27–29 August.[296]

5 March[edit]

  • Cyprus says it will open its borders to UK citizens who have received a COVID vaccination from the start of May.[297]
  • The Good Law Project says that the details of many COVID contracts remain unpublished, even though Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said they are "on the record for everyone to see".[298]
  • The latest Office for National Statistics figures for the week up to 27 February indicate COVID cases across the UK have fallen by a third, with 280,000 people with the virus, and it has also fallen in those aged over 70.[299]
  • The R number is estimated to be between 0.7 and 0.9, a slight rise on the previous week, but below 1 meaning the epidemic is still shrinking.[300]
  • A mystery person infected with Brazilian variant COVID has been traced to Croydon.[301]
  • Following criticism from unions of a 1% pay rise for NHS staff announced in the 2021 budget, Health Secretary Matt Hancock describes the increase as "what we think is affordable".[302]

6 March[edit]

  • The Royal College of Nursing urges the government to reconsider its 1% pay rise for nurses, suggesting many may leave the profession when the pandemic is over if they do not.[303]

7 March[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterates the government's stance on the 1% pay rise for NHS staff, describing it as "as much as we can" afford in "tough times".[304]
  • Scottish football club Rangers win the league for the first time in 10 years which leads to mass gatherings of upto 19,000 in Glasgow, these gatherings were out of Police and the club's control and have been condemned by the club and the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
  • A demonstration against the pay rise takes place in Manchester, and is attended by 40 people; the organiser is fined £10,000 as public gatherings remain illegal.[305]
  • Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England warns the UK should be prepared for a "hard winter" of flu and other non-COVID respiratory illnesses because immunity to them will be lower than in previous winters.[306]
  • The latest figures indicate 22.2 million people have now received their first COVID-19 vaccine.[307]
  • 82 deaths are recorded in the UK, the first time the daily death rate has been below 100 since 9 October 2020.[308]
  • The number of COVID cases on the Isle of Man rises by 81 to 315.[309]

8 March[edit]

  • The number of COVID-related deaths dips below 100 for a second consecutive day, with 65 deaths recorded in the most recent 24-hour period.[310]
  • The network of NHS Nightingale hospitals in England are to close from April, it is announced, with the hospitals in London and Sunderland remaining open as vaccination centres.[311]
  • A further 56 COVID cases are recorded on the Isle of Man, taking the total to 369; eight people are being treated at the island's Noble's Hospital, one is in intensive care.[312]

9 March[edit]

  • A fresh row erupts between the UK and European Union after Charles Michel, President of the European Council, incorrectly claims the UK has placed an "outright ban" on exports of COVID vaccines produced in the UK.[313]
  • Appearing before the Science and Technology Select Committee, Professor Chris Whitty warns that reopening society too quickly could lead to a substantial surge in the number of COVID cases and place those not yet vaccinated at risk of illness and death.[314]

10 March[edit]

  • Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in response to comments made by European Commission President Charles Michel, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says the UK government has "not blocked" any sales of COVID vaccines to other countries.[315]
  • After a number of countries, including Greece, Portugal and Cyprus, say they hope to welcome British tourists from mid-May, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tells people it is still too early to think about booking summer holidays abroad.[316]
  • Data from the Office for National Statistics suggests women have felt more overworked, anxious and depressed than men during the pandemic.[317]
  • A report published by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee criticises the NHS Test and Trace scheme, saying there is "no clear evidence" it has reduced COVID rates, and failed to prevent lockdowns.[318]
  • Concern is expressed by Emma Gilthorpe, chief operating officer at Heathrow Airport, about the length of time passengers are having to wait at border control, with waits of three or even six hours a regular occurrence.[319]

11 March[edit]

  • A further four cases of the Brazilian variant COVID are found in the UK, three in South Gloucestershire and one in Bradford. All are linked to previous cases identified in the UK.[320]
  • Staff at the DVLA in Swansea vote to take industrial action over concerns about COVID safety after more than 500 cases at the Agency.[321]
  • Scientists at UK Biobank begin a study to determine the long term effects of COVID-19.[322]
  • Richard Sheriff of the Association of School and College Leaders warns about parents with "pointy elbows and lawyer friends" who have been emailing teachers to lobby for higher GCSE and A Level grades for their children.[323]
  • France announces the easing of travel restrictions from seven countries outside the EU, including the UK.[324]
  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency issues a statement saying there is no evidence linking the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to an increased risk of blood clots, and urges people to continue being vaccinated. The statement comes after some countries, including Norway and Denmark, suspended use of the vaccine amid claims a small number of people given the vaccine had developed blood clots.[325]

12 March[edit]

  • Office for National Statistics data for the week ending 6 March suggests COVID-19 infections continue to fall in England and Wales, but not in Northern Ireland and Scotland.[326]
  • The R number is estimated to be between 0.6 and 0.8, and at its lowest since recording of the figure began in May 2020.[327]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges members of the public not to attend vigils for the death of London woman Sarah Everard planned for the following day, warning they are in breach of COVID-19 restrictions.[328]
  • The UK Government agrees to deploy 100 military medical personnel to Northern Ireland to help with the accelerated rollout of the vaccine there.[329]

13 March[edit]

  • Although the Clapham Common vigil to remember recently deceased London woman Sarah Everard is officially cancelled, a number of women still gather there. The Metropolitan Police are subsequently criticised for the way the event is policed after video of women being handcuffed and led away by officers is posted on social media. Home Secretary Priti Patel calls the footage "upsetting" and says she has asked the Met for a "full report on what happened".[330]
  • Data produced by accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates that 17,500 retail outlets closed in the UK during 2020, but the company says the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the high street is yet to be felt.[331]
  • The 2021 FA Cup Final and 2021 World Snooker Championship are reported to be among events where the return of large crowds of spectators will be piloted, the FA Cup potentially having 20,000 spectators.[332]

14 March[edit]

  • Health charities are urging around two million people with underlying health condition yet to be vaccinated to book their COVID vaccination. Those in the vulnerable category include people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. The Department of Health and Social Care says around half of the seven million people who fall into this category have received their first vaccination.[333]
  • British Airways outlines plans to make it easier for passengers who have been vaccinated to travel by allowing them to register their status with the BA App if they have received both vaccinations.[334]
  • The current outbreak of COVID-19 cases on the Isle of Man reaches 818, with 500 in the preceding week; 16 people are being treated at the island's Noble's Hospital.[335]

15 March[edit]

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no evidence linking the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine to blood clots after Germany, France, Italy and Spain join other European Union countries in pausing their use of the vaccine; the WHO urges continued use of the vaccine.[336]
  • A large shipment of the Oxford vaccine from the Serum Institute in India means it will be possible to accelerate the UK's vaccination programme in the coming days, with an estimated four million vaccinations being deployed over the next week.[337]
  • The Department for Transport removes Portugal from the "red list" of countries to and from travel is banned as of 4am on Friday 19 March.[338]
  • Hundreds of people join a fresh vigil in memory of Sarah Everard held in Parliament Square despite a warning from Home Secretary Priti Patel against doing so. Patel also announces a review into the policing of the event at Clapham Common.[339]
  • A BBC News report claims that senior Cabinet Ministers and Officials are critical of Prime Minister Boris Johnson for not bringing in tougher COVID restrictions in Autumn 2020 that they say would have prevented more deaths.[340]
  • The Office for National Statistics has added items such as hand sanitiser, loungewear and dumbbells (which became popular during lockdown) to the items used to calculate the cost of living in the UK.[341]

16 March[edit]

17 March[edit]

  • The latest figures show that 24 million people – almost half the UK's adult population – have received their first COVID-19 vaccine, with 1.6 million having received their second.[344]
  • Giving evidence to the Science and Technology Committee, Dominic Cummings, the former aide to the Prime Minister, criticises the Department of Health and Social Care as being "a smoking ruin in terms of procurement and PPE" at the start of the pandemic.[345]
  • European Commission Ursula von der Leyen threatens to withhold vaccines exports to the UK and any other non-EU countries that do not supply doses in a reciprocal manner.[346]

18 March[edit]

  • Germany, France, Italy and Spain restart use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine after a review of its use by the European Medicines Agency declared it to be "safe and effective".[347]
  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms that reduced vaccine supplies will not affect people getting their second dose, or the roadmap out of lockdown as Britain is on target to meet its vaccination target.[348]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson echoes the comments of the European Medicines Agency that the Oxford vaccine is safe, and adds that he will be getting his vaccine the following day.[349]
  • The Bank of England says the outlook for the UK economy remains "unusually uncertain" despite the successful deployment of the vaccine.[350]
  • Figures have indicated that the predicted pandemic baby boom has not happened, and instead the opposite has occurred.[351]

19 March[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms he has received his first COVID vaccination, and that he "did not feel a thing".[352]
  • Vaccination figures for the previous day show that a total of 660,276 vaccines were given, the highest daily number so far, and higher than the 609,010 given on 30 January.[353]
  • Figures show that excess mortality in those aged 65 and over was 7.7% higher than average during winter 2020–21, but Britain no longer has the highest COVID mortality rate in Europe.[354]
  • The R number rises slightly from the previous week to between 0.6 and 0.9, but figures show the epidemic continues to shrink, by between 3% and 6% each day.[355]
  • The Queen and Duchess of Cornwall take part in a video call with members of the Royal Voluntary Service to thank them for taking part in the NHS Volunteer Responders Scheme.[356]
  • Although the Glastonbury Festival is cancelled for 2021, its organisers confirm they have applied for permission to hold two nights of concerts at the venue in September.[357]
  • Figures show the government borrowed £19.1bn in February 2021, the highest monthly figure since records began in 1993.[358]

20 March[edit]

  • A total of 26,853,407 people, or half the UK's adult population, have now received their first COVID vaccine, with another record day for 19 March, when a combined 711,156 first and second doses were given.[359]
  • Dr Mike Tildesley, a government scientific adviser, has said that summer holidays overseas are "extremely unlikely" during 2021 because of the risk of people bringing back COVID variants.[360]

21 March[edit]

  • A third day of record vaccination numbers is reported, with a total of 844,285 doses administered on 20 March; 27.6 million people have now received a first vaccination.[361]
  • Speaking to the BBC, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says the government cannot rule out an extension to the ban on foreign holidays.[362]
  • Leading epidemiologist Mary Ramsay, who is head of immunisation at Public Health England, has suggested measures such as wearing face coverings and socially distancing may have to be in place for several years until other countries have successfully vaccinated their populations.[363]

22 March[edit]

  • The number of recorded daily COVID deaths rises by 17 to 126,172, the lowest daily rise since 28 September 2020, when 13 deaths were recorded.[364]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns the effects of a COVID resurgence in Europe will "wash up on our shores".[365]
  • COVID restrictions are lifted in Guernsey and Herm for the second time in the pandemic, with businesses allowed to reopen and social distancing and the wearing of face coverings no longer required.[366]

23 March[edit]

  • The UK marks the anniversary of the day the UK's first lockdown was announced; events to remember the occasion include a minute's silence at midday and a doorstep "beacon of hope" at 8pm during which people are encouraged to stand on their doorsteps and shine torches, candles or mobile phones to pay homage to those who have died. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that a permanent memorial to those who have died from COVID will be established "at the right moment".[367][368]
  • Figures show the number of people on payrolls in UK companies increased by 200,000 in the three months to February 2021, suggesting the employment market is stabilizing, but the figure is still 693,000 lower than in February 2020.[369]
  • Cineworld announces plans to reopen its UK cinemas in May, with a deal that will see films shown in cinemas before they are streamed.[370]
  • During a Zoom meeting with backbench Conservative Party MPs, Johnson attributes the success of the UK's vaccination programme to "capitalism" and "greed", then immediately withdraws the remarks.[371]

24 March[edit]

  • Following several weeks of disagreement between the UK and European Union over vaccine supplies, the two sides agree to work together to "create a win-win situation and expand vaccine supply for all"[372]
  • Data shows that an unprecedented 2,300 COVID patients have been moved between hospitals due to a shortage of intensive care beds between September 2020 and March 2021, including two that were moved more than 300 miles.[373]

25 March[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson says no decision has been made regarding the idea of vaccine passports, but that there will be an update in April. He also suggests it may not be possible to introduce such a scheme until every adult in the UK has been offered a vaccine.[374]
  • MPs vote 484–76 to extend the emergency powers contained in the Coronavirus Act 2020 for a further six months, with ministers saying the powers will remain in place "only as long as necessary".[375]

26 March[edit]

  • Following a summit the previous day, the European Union stops short of banning vaccine exports, but instead issues a statement emphasising the importance of global supply chains.[376]
  • Tension continues over vaccine supplies, as France accuses the UK of "blackmail" over its handling of vaccine supports.[377]
  • Figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate COVID cases have levelled out in the UK for the week ending 20 March, but there was a slight uptick in cases in English secondary schools.[378]
  • The R number is believed to be between 0.7 and 0.9, a slight rise on the previous week.[379]
  • Organisers of Crufts have cancelled the 2021 event amid "ongoing uncertainty".[380]

27 March[edit]

  • Addressing the Conservative Party's virtual spring forum, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that despite a surge of COVID cases in Europe, there is nothing the UK's data to dissuade him "from continuing along our roadmap to freedom".[381]
  • Stephen Reicher, a professor in social psychology at the University of St Andrews, warns that introducing a vaccine passport scheme to encourage younger people to take up the vaccine could prove to be "counterproductive" by creating "other problems like social division and social apartheid" that could "destroy any sense of community that has been so positive in the pandemic".[382]

28 March[edit]

  • The latest figures show that 30,151,287 people have received their first COVID vaccination, with 3,527,481 having received their second.[383]
  • Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says the government's plans to ease lockdown measures are on track and the "last thing in the world" it wants is another lockdown, but that dates "could be delayed if the situation deteriorates".[384]
  • A Sunday Times article reports that the UK government is preparing to offer 3.7 million vaccines to the Republic of Ireland in what is described as something that would address "genuine public health concerns in Northern Ireland", Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, says that the idea is a "runner" and one she suggested to Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The UK government says it does not currently have a vaccine surplus.[385]

29 March[edit]

  • The stay at home order for England comes to an end, as two households or six people are allowed to meet up outside. Weddings with up to six people are also permitted again. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges people to be cautions as COVID remains a threat.[386]
  • A BBC Panorama investigation at one of the UK's largest COVID testing laboratories uncovers the potential for inaccuracies, with discarded tests, the risk of contamination of tests and pressure on staff to meet targets.[387]
  • The UK's vaccines committee recommends that people living in a household where someone has a weakened immune system should receive priority for COVID vaccination.[388]
  • The Office for National Statistics has found the location, wealth and education of people explains only a fraction of the difference in vaccination levels between different ethnic groups.[389]
  • A deal has been agreed with GlaxoSmithKline to manufacture 60 million doses of the Novavax vaccine in the UK, at Barnard Castle.[390]
  • First Minister of Northern Ireland Arlene Foster says that all adults in the UK will be offered two doses of COVID vaccine before surplus supplies are offered to the Republic of Ireland.[391]

30 March[edit]

  • Tests conducted by the Office for National Statistics indicate that roughly half the UK population has COVID-19 antibodies, either through infection or vaccination.[392]
  • A group of the UK's leading retailers has called for the Chancellor to introduce a "Shop Out to Help Out" scheme similar to the August 2020 "Eat Out to Help Out" scheme introduced to help the restaurant sector.[393]

31 March[edit]

  • Queen Elizabeth II makes her first public appearance of 2021 outside Windsor Castle at a ceremony to mark the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force.[394]
  • People are urged to exercise caution following two days of extremely warm weather that have coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions in England, and resulted in people descending on parks and beaches.[395]
  • Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, says that critics of the way the Clapham Common vigil for Sarah Everard was policed spoke out "without knowing the facts".[396]
  • Although Glastonbury 2021 has been cancelled, organisers of the festival announce a five-hour livestream from Worthy Farm that will take place on 22 May.[397]

April 2021[edit]

1 April[edit]

  • A study of the test and trace system published in the British Medical Journal indicates that fewer than one in five people with COVID symptoms orders a COVID test, while those who comply fully with self-isolation rules is also low. The study is based on 74,697 responses to an online survey.[398]
  • An Office for National Statistics survey suggests one in five people have Long COVID symptoms five weeks after an initial infection, while one in seven still have it after twelve weeks.[399]
  • Sir Simon Stevens, Chief Executive of NHS England, suggests the formation of the NHS after World War II should act as a template for the way healthcare is delivered after the pandemic.[400]
  • The four million people in England and Wales told to shield by their GPs are no longer required to do so from this date.[401]

2 April[edit]

  • After The Daily Telegraph reports that COVID passports are to be trialled at a series of venues to test their use, a group of more than 70 MPs from across the political spectrum voice their opposition to the idea, describing it as "dangerous, discriminatory and counterproductive". In response the UK government says no decisions have been made as regards the idea.[402]
  • The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says it has found 30 cases of rare blood clots that developed in people after they had the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, but that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.[403]
  • The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is unable to calculate a UK-wide R number but estimates England's rate to be between 0.8 and 1.0, the same as the previous week's value for England.[404]
  • As the number of daily COVID cases increases by 3,402, the lowest figure since September 2020, and the Easter Bank Holiday weekend begins, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns people not to socialise indoors if they have been vaccinating.[405]

3 April[edit]

  • The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency confirms seven blood clot deaths among the 18 million people who have been vaccinated with the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, but it is unclear whether the deaths are a side-effect of the vaccine.[406]
  • The latest figures show that 31.4 million people have received a first COVID vaccine, with 5.2 million of those having also received a second, while a further 10 deaths are recorded, the lowest daily figure since 14 September 2020.[407]
  • The UK government confirms that a COVID passport system will be trialled at a comedy evening at Liverpool's Hot Water Comedy Club on 16 April and continue at other events through to mid-May, while a "traffic light" system will indicate the level of risk posed by different countries once foreign travel returns.[408]

4 April[edit]

5 April[edit]

  • Everybody in England is to be given access to two free rapid flow tests each week from Friday 9 April.[411]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirms that pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms and non-essential shops in England can reopen from Monday 12 April.[412]

6 April[edit]

7 April[edit]

8 April[edit]

9 April[edit]

  • Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh are added to the "red list" of countries from where travel to England is banned, with travellers refused entry if they have visited those countries in the preceding ten days.[424]
  • As people begin to lay flowers outside Buckingham Palace following the death of Prince Philip, the Palace asks the public not to break COVID rules while paying tribute to the Prince.[425] A plaque erected outside the Palace to announce the Prince's death is removed after an hour to minimise the risk of people congregating, while members of the public are encouraged to sign an online Book of Condolence and donate to charity rather than gather outside Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle as would be the traditional public response to the death of a senior royal.[426]
  • Office for National Statistics figures suggest that COVID-19 rates are down to a sixth of their peak in January 2021.[427]
  • Vaccination figures for 8 April show that 449,269 second vaccines were given, a record number for second doses, while 96,242 first doses were also administered.[427]
  • The R number for England remains unchanged from the previous week, at 0.8–1.0.[428]

10 April[edit]

  • The UK reports a second day of record doses for second vaccines, with 450,136 administered on 9 April, while 106,878 first doses were given.[429]

11 April[edit]

  • On the eve of the reopening of non-essential retail in England and Wales, the British Retail Consortium urges shoppers to show respect to retail staff by adhering to social-distancing rules and queueing "considerately".[430]
  • Another record day of second COVID vaccines is recorded for 10 April, with 475,230 administered, along with 111,109 first vaccines.[431]

12 April[edit]

  • COVID rules are eased in all of the Home Nations, with changes including the reopening of non-essential retail in England and Wales, the end of the "stay at home" order in Northern Ireland, and the return of all school pupils in Northern Ireland and Scotland.[432]
  • The UK government announces that everyone in the UK in the top nine priority groups has been offered their first COVID vaccine.[433]

13 April[edit]

  • England and Scotland confirm that adults in the 45–49 age group are now eligible for their first COVID vaccine. In England they are invited to book through the NHS website, while in Scotland they will be invited to attend a vaccination appointment.[434]
  • After the United States, South Africa and European Union pause their use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine following the discovery of six blood clot cases, the Department of Health and Social Care says the delay will not affect vaccine supplies in the UK. The UK government has ordered 30 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but its use is yet to be approved.[435]
  • The remote Scottish island of Fair Isle has become the first area of the UK whose entire population has received both COVID vaccines, with all 48 members of the community fully vaccinated.[436]

14 April[edit]

  • Chris Garton, Chief Solutions Officer at Heathrow Airport tells the House of Commons Transport Committee that delays caused by extensive COVID tests are becoming "untenable", with some passengers waiting up to six hours.[437]
  • Denmark ceases giving the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns about blood clots.[438]
  • The North Devon District Council area becomes the first area of the United Kingdom in 2021 to record no COVID cases over seven days, doing so from 3–9 April.[439]

15 April[edit]

  • Figures from NHS England indicate that 4.7 million people were waiting for routine operations and procedures in February 2021, the largest waiting list numbers since records began in 2007. Of those, 388,000 had waited for more than a year, while two million operations took place through January and February 2021, while the health service was under pressure because of the pandemic.[440]

16 April[edit]

  • The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation changes its advice for pregnant women, recommending they receive the vaccine at the same time as other people in their age group, and that the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines would be preferable. The change follows positive results from trials on hundreds of women in the United States.[441]
  • The latest Office for National Statistics data shows that COVID infections in all four nations of the UK have fallen to the lowest level since September 2020, with an estimated one in 500 thought to have the virus in the week up to 10 April.[442]
  • England's R number is estimated to be between 0.7 and 1.0.[443]
  • Health officials confirm that 77 cases of a strain of COVID from India have been discovered in the UK; the strain is described as a "double-mutant" because two mutant strains are attached to it.[444]
  • 10 Downing Street confirms that a scheduled trip to India to be made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson later in the month will still go ahead, despite soaring COVID cases in India, and the identification of a new strain from that country.[445]
  • One in six people, around 8.9 million, have received both COVID vaccines, official figures have confirmed.[446]

17 April[edit]

18 April[edit]

  • The number of people to receive both COVID vaccinations approaches 10 million, with 9,930,846 having been given their second dose, while 32,849,223 people have received at least one dose.[448]
  • Health officials are investigating whether the Indian COVID strain spreads more easily and is resistant to vaccines, but have not designated it as a variant of concern.[449]
  • On the day the FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton is held at London's Wembley Stadium as a pilot event with 4,000 spectators, it is confirmed that an outdoor gig will be held in Liverpool's Sefton Park on 2 May with near-normal conditions. 5,000 people will be allowed to attend the event without face coverings or social distancing rules, but must provide a negative COVID test beforehand.[450]
  • Leaders of the UK's largest hospitality firms have signed an open letter in The Sunday Telegraph to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to stick to the date for the reopening of indoor dining.[451]

19 April[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson cancels a planned trip to India amid concern over rising COVID cases in that country.[452]
  • India is added to the UK's "red list" of countries from where most travel is prohibited and passengers are required to go into hotel quarantine, with the rules coming into effect from 4am on Friday 23 April.[453]
  • The number of people in the UK to receive both vaccinations passes 10 million.[454]
  • A new study is seeking young people who have had the COVID virus to be exposed to it again to test how the immune system responds.[455]
  • As part of post-COVID plans to reduce its office capacity by 40%, HSBC announces that its Canary Wharf headquarters will have an open plan office in which managers will be required to "hot desk".[456]
  • The Isle of Man's third period of lockdown comes to an end.[457]

20 April[edit]

  • The UK's former Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Mark Walport suggests adding India to the red list may have come too late.[458]
  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces the establishment of an Antiviral Taskforce to investigate potential COVID treatments that could be taken at home, and that could be available as early as the autumn.[459]
  • Office for National Statistics figures have indicated the jobs crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the young most of all. 811,000 payroll jobs were lost in the UK in the year to March 2021, with those aged under-35 accounting for 80% of those losses.[460]

21 April[edit]

  • After it is reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "fix" tax changes for businessman James Dyson while seeking to obtain ventilators manufactured by his company, Johnson tells Prime Minister's Questions he makes "absolutely no apology at all for shifting heaven and earth" to obtain them for the NHS.[461]
  • Professor Adam Finn, of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, warns the UK could experience a "summer surge" in COVID cases as lockdown restrictions are eased.[462]
  • Heathrow Airport says it will not allow extra flights from India ahead of that country's addition to the red list.[463]
  • Following the cancellation of a number of music festivals scheduled for Summer 2021, organisers of those still planned to go ahead say they are "running out of time" to save those that remain.[464]
  • Within days of ending its latest period of lockdown, the Isle of Man reports a cluster of seven new COVID-19 cases (five from this date and two from the previous day).[465]

22 April[edit]

  • Data published by NHS England indicates that 95% of people in England aged over 50 have taken up the offer of a COVID vaccine.[466]
  • The final flight arrives at Heathrow from India before that country is added to the red list.[467]
  • Driving tests resume in England and Wales, having been suspended since January.[468]
  • A case challenging the government over directly awarding contracts for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the pandemic returns to the High Court, where campaigners are challenging the government's actions.[469]
  • With a record backlog of 58,000 Crown Court cases in England and Wales, an agreement is made allowing the Lord Chief Justice to draw on unlimited funds from the government to enable courts to be open whenever a judge is available to hear cases.[470]
  • 10 Downing Street announces an inquiry into the exchange of texts between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and businessman James Dyson.[471]

23 April[edit]

  • India is added to the red list from 4AM.[472]
  • England's R number is estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.0, a slight rise on the previous week, but infection rates continue to decrease.[473]
  • The Football Association confirms that Wembley Stadium will host an extra match during the Euro 2020 tournament after games scheduled to take place in Dublin were moved to other cities because of concerns over COVID and crowd capacity. Under UEFA rules, stadiums must be able to allow 25% spectator capacity during the Euro games.[474]
  • Jersey takes steps to reopen tourism by introducing a traffic light system for different countries depending on their COVID status, and adds Wales (with the exception of Newport) to the green list, meaning travel between the two countries is now permitted without the need for quarantine.[475]

24 April[edit]

  • Official figures show that 33,508,590 people, half the UK's estimated population of 66.7 million, have received their first COVID vaccine, while 12 million have received both vaccines. Health Secretary Matt Hancock says he is "absolutely delighted" by the news.[476]

25 April[edit]

  • The UK government announces it is sending 600 pieces of medical equipment to India to help in the country's COVID-19 surge. The equipment includes 495 oxygen concentrators, a device that extracts oxygen from the air to give to patients.[477]

26 April[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson denies allegations that he said he would rather see "bodies pile high" than take England into a third lockdown during a conversation in Autumn 2020.[478]
  • Figures published by the Office for National Statistics indicate government borrowing to be at its highest since World War II, with the figure hitting £303.1bn in the year to March 2021.[479]
  • A group of families with relatives deceased because of COVID-19 express their disappointment after the UK government rejects their calls for an immediate inquiry into the handling of the pandemic.[480]
  • The European Union launches a legal case against AstraZeneca, accusing it of not having a timely plan for the delivery of vaccines.[481]
  • Economic forecasters at Deloitte have predicted a rapid recovery for the UK economy following the pandemic.[482]
  • A case of COVID-19 without a known link is identified in the Isle of Man.[483]
  • Travel firms are reporting that an increasing number of people are deferring summer breaks in favour of autumn holidays abroad because of uncertainty over the COVID situation.[484]

27 April[edit]

  • MPs on the Joint Committee on Human Rights have urged a review of all fixed-penalty notices for breaches of COVID-19 restrictions, describing them as "muddled, discriminatory and unfair".[485]

28 April[edit]

  • Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirms that the UK has ordered a further 60 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine to be used for booster jabs in the autumn.[486]
  • The UK pledges further help for India with the supply of equipment and support to help with its growing COVID crisis.[487]
  • A year after it was suspended because of the pandemic, plans are announced for the musical Hamilton to resume at London's Victoria Palace Theatre on 19 August.[488]
  • Supermarket retailer Sainsbury's announces a £261m annual loss in spite of increased sales of food, and of Argos products, during the pandemic.[489]
  • A face-to-face conference in Liverpool is held as part of trials for a return to life without restrictions, and attended by 400 delegates. They are not required to wear face coverings or socially distance, or to provide a vaccine certificate, but are asked to take lateral flow tests before and after the event, the data of which will be analysed as part of the UK government's Events and Research Programme.[490]

29 April[edit]

30 April[edit]

  • Analysis by the BBC indicates that 22 million people are living in areas where no COVID-related deaths have happened during April. This is in contrast to January, where 50,000 people were thought to live in such areas.[492]
  • Figures produced by the Office for National Statistics indicate COVID cases in the UK have fallen to levels last seen in late summer 2020, with fewer than 1 in 1,000 people infected with the virus.[493]
  • A study of UK patients shows a very small number of people were admitted to hospital several weeks after receiving their first COVID vaccination, with 1% of COVID hospital admissions being of people who had been vaccinated. Hospital admissions have also tailed off as the number of people having been vaccinated increases.[494]
  • The R number in England is estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.1, slightly higher than the previous week.[495]

May 2021[edit]

1 May[edit]

  • A study published in The Lancet indicates that people from a South Asian background were at greater risk of infection, hospitalisation and death as a result of COVID than any other ethnic group during the second wave of the pandemic.[496]

2 May[edit]

  • Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab tells the BBC the UK is "in a good position" to "get life back as close to normal as possible" in June, but that some safeguards, such as social distancing and the wearing of face coverings, may need to remain in place beyond then.[497]
  • National Car Parks (NCP), the UK's largest car park operator, has launched a legal case to help it cut rents and exit contracts for unprofitable parking facilities, citing the effect of the pandemic which has led to a 80% decrease in revenue.[498]
  • The UK government confirms plans to send a further 1,000 ventilators to India to help with their COVID situation.[499]
  • The first live gig in more than a year to be staged without social distancing takes place at Liverpool's Sefton Park. The gig, attended by 5,000 concertgoers and headlined by indie band Blossoms, is part of trials being staged to restart large events.[500]

3 May[edit]

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there will be some "opening up" of foreign travel on 17 May, but stresses the need to be cautious.[501] Johnson also suggests there is a "good chance" England's 1m social distancing rule can be scrapped from 21 June.[502]
  • One further COVID death is recorded, the lowest number of daily deaths since 30 June 2020.[503]
  • With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan under way the BBC reports on how some UK mosques are not allowing women in to attend prayers due to the pandemic, since men and women pray separately in mosques.[504]
  • The 2021 World Snooker Championship concludes at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, having become the first sporting event to have a capacity crowd for its final.[505]

4 May[edit]

  • Downing Street confirms that plans to update the NHS app so it can be used as a COVID passport will not be complete by the time international travel resumes on 17 May.[506]
  • Professor Neil Ferguson, whose modelling led to the first national lockdown in the UK, tells the BBC there are unlikely to be further such restrictions, and instead it is "likely to be on a steady course now out of this pandemic".[507]
  • Odeon Cinemas confirms plans to reopen most of its 120 UK outlets on 17 May.[508]
  • The Royal Albert Hall confirms it will reopen on 29 May to limited capacity, with plans to begin full capacity concerts from 6 July with a James Blunt concert.[509]

See also[edit]

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  351. ^ "Covid: From boom to bust - why lockdown hasn't led to more babies". 18 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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  354. ^ "Covid: UK death rate 'no longer Europe's worst' by winter". 19 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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  384. ^ "Covid: Another lockdown 'last thing in world' that government wants". 28 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  385. ^ "Coronavirus: UK vaccine offer to Ireland 'a runner', says Arlene Foster". 28 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  386. ^ "Covid: Outdoor meet-ups and sports resume in England". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  387. ^ "Covid: Secret filming exposes contamination risk at test results lab". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  388. ^ "Households of adults with weak immune systems to be vaccinated". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  389. ^ "Covid: Ethnic jab gap 'not due to area or education'". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  390. ^ "Novavax: Deal agreed to 'fill and finish' 60 million doses in UK". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  391. ^ "Coronavirus: Two vaccine doses given before any surplus offered, says Arlene Foster". 29 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  392. ^ "Covid: Half of UK has antibodies from vaccination or infection". 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  393. ^ "Retailers call for 'Shop Out to Help Out' scheme when stores reopen". 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  394. ^ "Queen makes first public appearance of 2021". 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  395. ^ "Covid: Sunny rule breakers warned, and Glastonbury from home". 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  396. ^ "Sarah Everard vigil: Critics attacked policing 'without knowing facts' - Met chief". 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  397. ^ "Glastonbury: Jorja Smith, Coldplay and Haim to play Worthy Farm livestream". 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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  402. ^ "Coronavirus: Dozens of MPs criticise 'divisive' Covid passports". 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  403. ^ "Covid: 30 blood clot cases found in AstraZeneca recipients in the UK". 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  404. ^ "England R number between 0.8 and 1.0 as no UK-wide figure given". ITV News. 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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  406. ^ "Covid-19: Seven UK blood clot deaths after AstraZeneca vaccine". 3 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
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  409. ^ "Cambridge win Men's and Women's Boat Races". Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  410. ^ "Covid: Passports showing vaccine status would be time-limited, says minister". 4 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  411. ^ "Covid: Tests to be offered twice-weekly to all in England". 5 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  412. ^ "England's lockdown to ease as planned on 12 April". 5 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  413. ^ "Covid: Child jabs halted in trial as adult clot link probed". 6 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  414. ^ "Covid: Trust regulator on AstraZeneca vaccine safety, Boris Johnson says". 6 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  415. ^ "Covid passports: Entertainment venues air concerns over plans". 6 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  416. ^ "Covid: Moderna vaccine UK rollout begins in Wales". 7 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  417. ^ "Covid in Scotland: Roll-out of Moderna vaccine begins in Glasgow". 7 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  418. ^ "Driving lessons to resume in England and Wales on 12 April". 7 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  419. ^ "Covid: Under-30s offered alternative to Oxford-AstraZeneca jab". 7 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  420. ^ "Covid: More than enough vaccines for under-30s, says Hancock". 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  421. ^ "Covid: UK vaccine rollout 'breaking link' between infections and death". 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  422. ^ "Covid: Deaths in England and Wales fall 92% since January peak". 8 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  423. ^ "UK sport bodies back vaccine passports". Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  424. ^ "Covid 19: Pakistan among new countries added to England's travel ban list". 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  425. ^ "Prince Philip: Buckingham Palace asks people to follow COVID restrictions when paying tribute". Sky News. Retrieved 9 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  426. ^ "No flowers, no crowds: How coronavirus has changed plans to mourn Philip". ITV News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  427. ^ a b "Coronavirus infections 'a sixth of January peak'". 9 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  428. ^ "Covid infection rate remains same in England despite vaccination progress". ITV News. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  429. ^ "Coronavirus: UK reports largest number of second jabs in one day". 10 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  430. ^ "Covid: Shoppers 'must respect staff' when retail reopens". 11 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  431. ^ "Coronavirus: UK sets new record for Covid jab second doses". 11 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  432. ^ "Covid lockdown eases: Celebrations as pub gardens and shops reopen". 12 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  433. ^ "Covid vaccine: All over-50s and high risk groups offered first dose". 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  434. ^ "Covid: People 45 or over in England invited to book vaccine". 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  435. ^ "Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused over rare blood clots". 13 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  436. ^ "Covid: Every adult is vaccinated in Fair Isle, the UK's remotest island community". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  437. ^ "Heathrow says airport queues are becoming 'untenable'". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  438. ^ "AstraZeneca vaccine: Denmark stops rollout completely". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  439. ^ "Covid-19: North Devon records zero weekly cases, data suggests". 14 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  440. ^ "4.7 million waiting for operations in England". 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  441. ^ "Pregnant women should be offered Covid vaccine". 16 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  442. ^ "COVID-19: UK records lowest deaths and cases figures since September". Sky News. Retrieved 18 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  443. ^ Hughes, Tammy (16 April 2021). "R rate falls as Covid infections drop to lowest number since autumn". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  444. ^ Hockaday, James (16 April 2021). "First cases of 'double mutant' Covid from India found in UK". Retrieved 18 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  445. ^ "Covid: Boris Johnson's India visit to go ahead despite rise in cases". 16 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  446. ^ King, Jordan (16 April 2021). "One in six adults are now fully vaccinated against Covid in UK". Retrieved 18 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  447. ^ "Prince Philip: Royal Family honours duke's 'humour and humanity'". 17 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  448. ^ Davis, Tammy Hughes, Barney (18 April 2021). "UK records 10 deaths as almost 10 million people get second dose". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  449. ^ "Covid: Indian variant being investigated in UK". 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  450. ^ "Covid: Blossoms to headline 'near-normal' gig trial". 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  451. ^ "Reopening: Prime minister 'must stick' to indoor dining dates". 18 April 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  452. ^ "Coronavirus: 'Only sensible' to cancel India trip, says Johnson". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  453. ^ "Covid-19: India added to coronavirus 'red list' for travel". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  454. ^ "Covid: More than 10m people fully vaccinated in UK". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  455. ^ "Young people to be reinfected with Covid for study". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  456. ^ "HSBC boss Noel Quinn scraps executive floor at London HQ". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  457. ^ "Covid: Lockdown lifted for third time on Isle of Man". 19 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  458. ^ "Covid-19: India red list add 'may be too late', Prof Mark Walport says". 20 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  459. ^ "Covid: Plan for pills to treat virus at home by autumn". 20 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  460. ^ "Under-35s bearing brunt of jobs crisis". 20 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  461. ^ "Dyson lobbying row: Boris Johnson makes 'no apology' for seeking ventilators". 21 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  462. ^ "Covid: Government scientist warns of summer surge in cases". 21 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  463. ^ "Heathrow refuses to allow extra flights from India". 21 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  464. ^ "'The clock is ticking' for summer music festival season". 21 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  465. ^ "Covid: Isle of Man virus outbreak rises to five cases". 21 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  466. ^ "Covid: Vaccine uptake among over-50s hits 95% in England". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  467. ^ "Covid: India on UK travel red list as Covid crisis grows". 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  468. ^ "Driving tests: Relief and new-found freedom as post-lockdown tests get back in gear". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  469. ^ "Covid-19: VIP fast-track for PPE contracts back in court". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  470. ^ "Deal struck to combat Crown Courts backlog". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  471. ^ "Dyson lobbying row: No 10 announces leak inquiry into Johnson's texts". 22 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  472. ^ "Covid-19: India arrivals begin hotel isolation and Wembley's extra Euro match". 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  473. ^ "COVID-19: England's R number rises slightly to between 0.8 and 1 as infection level falls across UK". Sky News. Retrieved 23 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  474. ^ "Wembley given extra Euro 2020 tie". Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  475. ^ "Covid: Most of Wales can travel to Jersey without quarantine from Monday". 23 April 2021. Retrieved 23 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  476. ^ "Covid-19: Hancock welcomes over half of UK getting first jab". 24 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  477. ^ "Covid-19: UK sends supplies to India amid record virus surge". 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  478. ^ "Covid: Boris Johnson's 'bodies pile high' comments prompt criticism". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  479. ^ "Covid costs push government borrowing to highest since WW2". 23 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  480. ^ "Covid-19: Bereaved families disappointed by government response to inquiry". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  481. ^ "Coronavirus: EU sues AstraZeneca over vaccine delivery delays". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  482. ^ "Shopping trips set to fuel economic rebound". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  483. ^ "Covid: Isle of Man records new unexplained virus case". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  484. ^ "Summer holiday demand shifts to autumn amid travel uncertainty". 26 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  485. ^ "Lockdown fines: Fixed penalty notices should all be reviewed - MPs". 27 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  486. ^ "Covid: UK orders 60m extra Pfizer doses for booster jabs". 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  487. ^ "Covid-19: More Pfizer doses ordered and Spain welcomes tourists". 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  488. ^ "Hamilton is latest musical to announce West End return". 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  489. ^ "Sainsbury's: Cost of Covid has been high". Retrieved 28 April 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  490. ^ "Liverpool hosts 'pioneering' mask-free business conference". 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  491. ^ "Matt Hancock receives jab from Jonathan Van-Tam". Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  492. ^ "Covid: More than 20 million living in areas with zero deaths". 30 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  493. ^ "Covid-19 infections in UK back to late summer levels - ONS". 30 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  494. ^ "Hospital Covid admissions after jab 'very, very small'". 30 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  495. ^ "England's COVID-19 R number estimate inches up". Reuters. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  496. ^ "South Asians in UK at greater risk from Covid". 30 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  497. ^ "Covid-19: Some Covid safeguards needed after June, says Raab". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  498. ^ "Car park operator NCP seeks rent cuts to survive". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  499. ^ "Covid: UK sending 1,000 more ventilators to India". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  500. ^ "Covid: Liverpool stages sold out Blossoms gig as trial for festival season". 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  501. ^ "Covid: Some foreign travel opening up on 17 May - Boris Johnson". 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  502. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56973274
  503. ^ "UK records just one new Covid death in latest daily figures". LBC. Retrieved 3 May 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  504. ^ "Coronavirus: Why some mosques are closed to women during Ramadan". 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  505. ^ "Selby wins fourth world title". Retrieved 3 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  506. ^ https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/covid-19-passport-app-will-not-be-ready-for-return-of-international-travel-no-10-admits-985390
  507. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56988070
  508. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56981630
  509. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56983063

External links[edit]

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