Town hall clock turns yellow to mark anniversary of first lockdown

LERWICK Town Hall’s clock turned yellow tonight (Tuesday) to mark the one year anniversary of the first national lockdown.

A national silence was held at midday, while people were asked to ‘shine a light’ at 8pm to remember those lost or bereaved.

Shetland Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell said: “Today I will be reflecting on all those who have lost loved ones during the past exceptionally difficult year, whether that’s from Covid or any other cause.

“The response to the pandemic has meant that many things we normally take for granted in our society, like comforting the dying or those bereaved, has not been possible. I guess everyone has lost something important to them this year and now is an appropriate moment to pause and reflect, as well as look forward.”

It was back on 23 March 2020 that UK prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled measures in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Since then, however, the UK’s death toll has reached more than 126,000.