A minute’s silence was observed across the UK to remember key workers whose deaths were linked to the coronavirus pandemic.
Taking place outside hospitals, care homes and health centres, it was held to coincide with International Workers Memorial Day.
Unison, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nurces launched the campaign so that the nation could take a moment to honour frontline staff who have died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Between them, the organisations represent over a million NHS and public service workers including porters, refuse workers and care staff.
Dame Donna Kinnair, the chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nurses, said: “I was heartened to hear how many people took part in the minute’s silence to honour the memory of staff that has tragically died during the coronavirus pandemic.
“We thought that it was important to pay a public tribute to all of those who have lost their lives to the pandemic.
“I am immensely proud that so many people took the time to pay their tribute”.
She then issued a call out for protection of workers, saying that the death toll must not be allowed to rise further.
