Frontline staff, public services and volunteers from across Surrey who have managed the Covid-19 response will come together tomorrow (Tuesday) to remember and pay tribute to those who have died from coronavirus over the last 12 months.

On the first anniversary of the country being placed into lockdown, organisations that make up Surrey's Local Resilience Forum – including the emergency services, health trusts and hospitals, the county council, district and borough councils – will come together at midday and stand in solidarity in a one-minute silence to remember all those who have died.

Steve Owen-Hughes, Surrey's Chief Fire Officer and Chair of Surrey's Local Resilience Forum, said: "Surrey's LRF declared a major incident to deal with the pandemic and to coordinate the efforts of frontline staff, public services and volunteers from across the county on 19th March last year.

"There is no doubt that since that time by working together we have saved hundreds of lives. However, sadly we have also seen thousands of lives lost across Surrey and the whole country to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is only right that tomorrow on the first anniversary of lockdown that we take a moment to pause, reflect and remember all those who have tragically lost their lives, and their families and friends who continue to grieve.

"Due to current restrictions, we are unable to come together physically, but we are encouraging staff from across the partnership to stop what they are doing at midday and join the nation to remember.

"I would also encourage the wider public from across Surrey to do the same, whilst adhering to current Covid-19 restrictions; to pause their daily lives, remember and pay tribute to those have died and lost loved ones to this dreadful disease."