Bolton remembers Covid lockdown two years on

As well as the illuminated Town Hall, Mayor of Bolton Cllr Linda Thomas will address the council tonight to mark the anniversary at a full council meeting.

The date is being officially recognised by Marie Curie as the ‘National Day of Reflection,’ and the charity’s bereavement coordinator, Clair Collins, said coming together on March 23 is a way to "reflect on our collective losses in a mindful way."

She added: "There are still millions of people living with the deep trauma of losing a loved one during the last two years and we hope everyone finds comfort and embraces the day, whether you have had a close bereavement or not."

MOVING: Samantha and her young family who were due to move house when lockdown was announced, but have been living out of boxes in lockdown.

It was on this day two years ago that The Bolton News reported the borough’s first death relating to Covid 19, as a patient in their 70s who had underlying health issues succumbed to the virus at Bolton Hospital.

There were also several high-profile events due to take place in Bolton that had to be cancelled, including the first Bolton Marathon in over 30 years, as well as various concerts at Victoria Hall, and shows at The Albert Halls, with many people having to be refunded for their tickets.

Businesses were forced to close and people asked to work at home.

Queues formed out supermarkets as social distancing rules were introduced to contain the virus.

While frontline workers carried on working while everyone was else was staying safe at home.

Jordan Allen

At the time Joshua Orme, facilities manager and events coordinator, said: "It is with regret that, due to government recommendations regarding theatres, we have taken the decision to cease all concerts for 12 weeks, beginning March 17.

“We will re-evaluate the current situation on June 1.”

Initially there was also an announcement that parks would have to close too, but Bolton Council later decided to reopen them following Boris Johnson’s announcement.

Fast forward to December 2020, and Bolton saw an 80-year-old couple become the first people in Bolton to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the community vaccination programme.

At the time Ann Clubley said: “We weren’t expecting it until January, but we feel very privileged to be the first.

“As soon as we heard about the vaccine, we were happy to offer our arms over.

“We are very supportive of vaccination.”

80-year-old couple become first people in Bolton to receive Covid-19 vaccine

Today, almost all restrictions have come to an end.

The Living with Covid plan means that people are no longer legally required to self-isolate if they test positive for Covid-19, though they are still advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days.

From April 1, free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing will end for the general public in England, except for a small number of at-risk groups.

Executive Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines said:"We need to remember that Covid has not gone away and it has not yet become endemic within society.

"We need to take personal responsibility and stay at home if we feel unwell or have symptoms.

"Hand washing is still a salient tool in keeping safe as is good ventilation.

"Getting the vaccine is so important."