Year that changed everything
How month by month we kept adapting – and just kept going
IT was a scenario that was almost beyond comprehension – a national lockdown that would impact the lives of everyone in the country.
But now, 12 months later and with the end seemingly in sight, Scots will be taking a moment this week to reflect on the life-changing year.
A year ago, on March 23, the UK was issued with the ‘Stay At Home’ directive.
Overnight, high streets were left deserted, train and bus stations emptied, and bars, restaurants and cafes closed their doors, with almost all remaining closed today.
Although initially the nation was given hope that the harsh restrictions would be reviewed every three weeks, it quickly
‘Family and friends lost’
became clear the restrictions would be around for a long time.
In April, confirmed Covid cases passed 2,000 across the country, with 76 deaths in hospitals, and the Scottish Government announced that construction had started on the NHS Louisa Jordan at the SEC in Glasgow to become a 300bed capacity hospital, expandable to 1,000 if required.
April also signalled major events being cancelled, the biggest being the 2020 Edinburgh festivals that had been planned for August.
However, as May arrived Scots were given a glimmer of hope with Nicola Sturgeon announcing the easing of lockdown measures.
After almost 70 days families were finally able to reunite, with new rules meaning that people from two households could meet outside so long as they kept at least two metres apart.
The good news kept coming in June, with no new Covid deaths recorded during a 24-hour period for the first time since March.
In July, the First Minister finally gave the go-ahead for schools to reopen in August and face-coverings became mandatory. However, small clusters began to appear again in Glasgow, signalling that the crisis was far from over. By September and October it was becoming apparent stricter Covid measures were on the horizon as the country saw its highest levels of the virus since May, and Christmas appeared to be ‘cancelled’.
Despite confusion continuing in November over what measures would be unveiled for the festive period, the country was given a boost as news came that a vaccine would be rolled out in December.
The arrival of the New Year, however, brought with it tough new measures including the closure of schools once again and essential travel only. The vaccine rollout
picked up pace by February, with the Scottish Government announcing that 98 per cent of elderly care home residents had been offered their first Covid vaccination.
As March arrived, so did renewed hope that the end of the virus was in sight, and further easing of lockdown measures were announced.
This week Scots are being encouraged to take a moment and remember those who have died of the virus over the past year.
Tomorrow, on the anniversary of the first lockdown, the Church of Scotland is encouraging people of all faiths and none to light a candle at 7pm in remembrance of all those people who have died.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: ‘The last year has been incredibly tough, with family and friends lost to this terrible virus, people separated, jobs lost, and mental health issues taking their toll. But despite all that, we have come together like never before with an NHS workforce that continues to make us proud, shop workers who kept us fed, transport workers keeping us moving, and neighbours helping each other in time of need.
‘If this pandemic has shown us anything, it has been to prove that we have far more in common with each other than that which divides us.’
Scots Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said: ‘As the death toll slows and a return to normal life draws closer, we will always remember those who lost their lives to the virus.’