Boris Johnson promises 'fitting and permanent memorial' to the people who have died with Covid-19 in the past year
Boris Johnson has promised a "fitting and permanent" memorial to the 126,000 people who have died from coronavirus in the past year.
Speaking during a Downing Street press briefing on the anniversary of the first national lockdown, the Prime Minister added that the "whole period" will be commemorated.
"At the right moment, we will come together as a country to build a fitting and a permanent memorial to the loved ones we’ve lost and to commemorate this whole period.
“For month after month, our collective fight against coronavirus was like fighting in the dark against a callous and invisible enemy until science helped us to turn the lights on and gain the upper hand," he said.
Mr Johnson also said the nation is "step by step, jab by jab” on the path to "reclaiming our freedoms".
He said: "It’s thanks to all of you therefore that we can continue on our road map to freedom. We will meet our targets, offering a first dose to everyone over 50 by the middle of next month, as well as those under 50 who are clinically vulnerable, and offering a first dose of a vaccine to every adult by the end of July.
"And cautiously but irreversibly, step by step, jab by jab, this country is on the path to reclaiming our freedoms."