Remember them – but from home

THE Royal British Legion is encouraging people to safely mark Remembrance Sunday in a socially distanced way.

While parades and memorials may still take place, with the final decisions up to councils, many are already cancelled. The public are being urged to do their bit from home, either by watching events on television or taking part in a two-minute silence from their doorsteps at 11am on Sunday, November 8, 2020.

The Government’s guidance states there is an exemption in England’s Three-Tier Covid-19 lockdowns which will allow for Remembrance Sunday events, as long as precautions are taken, with priority for Armed Forces veterans and serving personnel to take part.

The Royal British Legion says local authorities are responsible for arranging any parades or events which do take place. North Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council are among the authorities which have already cancelled ncelled parades due to coronavirus.

The Legion is encouraging members to only get involved with parades and d ceremonies s which are managed by city and area councils.

The Royal British Legion says: “Despite the changes this year, we are encouraging people across the nations to ensure Remembrance Sunday is still marked appropriately by taking part in remote and socially distanced Remembrance activity, whether that be watching the service on television or pausing for the two-minute silence in their home or on their doorsteps.” London’s Cenotaph Ceremony will be closed to the public, but a limited num number of veteran ans, members of th the Royal Family a and political le leaders will be a allowed to att attend.

Vet Veterans minister Johnn Johnny Mercer has said Remembrance Sunday will be “a little bit different” this year, as members of the public are urged to mark the event from home due to the coronavirus crisis. Former Army officer Mr Mercer said everything would be done to commemorate the fallen in the “correct way”.