Coronavirus Pandemic 2020

The Covid 19 virus spread from China to  virtually the rest of the World in the early months of 2020. The UK was put into total lockdown on 24th March. All except key workers were told to stay at home, work from home where possible, in order to prevent the NHS becoming overwhelmed with sick people. People over 70 and those with underlying health conditions were asked to stay indoors. The schools closed except for the children of key workers and home education commenced. All shops closed, except food shops, churches, sports centres, community centres all closed. One person from each family was allowed to shop for food, collect prescriptions or deliver to someone in need. Each person allowed one outing per day for exercise near to home. Social distancing was to be practiced. The lockdown was not to be lifted until it was clear from the statistics that the  infection rate was down to safe levels. At first there was panic buying and many items were in short supply, including toilet rolls, flour, soap and hand sanitiser. Shops, banks, surgeries all set up security screens and only a limited number of customers allowed in at a time. This resulted in queues outside with customers well spaced out. New Nightingale Hospitals were set up in large vacant buildings at record speed to cope with Covid patients. Personal protective clothing was in short supply. Care homes became particularly vulnerable and many deaths took place in these homes. The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, himself succumbed to the virus but survived. 

Ellingham Playing Field is closed.