Sleaford and district join in minute’s silence to mark loss of key workers to coronavirus

Colleagues and the general public stopped for a minute’s silence at 11am today (Tuesday) to remember those key workers who have tragically lost their lives to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last few weeks.

RAF College Cranwell personnel bow their heads for the minute's silence at 11am today for key workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic. EMN-200428-153947001

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day, an annual event to remember those who have lost their lives while at work.

This was taken as the day to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep coronavirus at bay and keep the country running.

People paused in shops, offices, supermarkets, military bases, council buildings and the many emergency service sites around Lincolnshire and the UK.

Lincolnshire County Council said its Customer Service Centre closed the lines to new calls at 11am for a minute.

Personnel from RAF College Cranwell paid their respects to those frontline workers who had sadly lost their lives to Coronavirus, standing in silence on the base.

Chief Insp Phil Baker of Lincolnshire Police said there was a joint minute’s silence by police, fire and ambulance staff at their shared station in South Park, Lincoln for those NHS staff lost to Covid-19. “The thoughts of those from South Park, Lincoln are with the families of all,” he said.

There was also a short remembrance service held at Lincolnshire Police headquarters with an observation of the silence. The force stated: “The best way we can honour such sacrifice is by following government guidance, staying at home and protecting the NHS.”

The minute's silence at Lincolnshire Police's memorial garden. EMN-200428-153958001

Staff of East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust across the region observed the one minute silence at their offices and stations too, as did staff at North Kesteven District Council, to commemorate the deaths of health, care and frontline workers.