It has been a year since people across the UK were told they should limit their non-essential contact with others and stop all unnecessary travel. On 16 March 2020, people were told to work from home wherever possible while everyone was told to “avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues”, to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
A week later, on 23 March 2020, the UK’s first lockdown would begin. From deaths and the pressure on hospitals, to the number of hours worked and people’s expectations of rising unemployment, we can see how the remarkable figures recorded over the past 12 months compare with others and made this a year like no other.
A year on from the first government instructions to significantly limit social contact because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the ONS looks at what the data tell us about these extraordinary 12 months and the way our lives have changed.
For the full details and data, click here.