Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in England (January–June 2020) explained

The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in England from January 2020 to June 2020. There are significant differences in the legislation and the reporting between the countries of the UK: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Timeline

January 2020

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Two coronavirus cases confirmed in UK. 31 January 2020. BBC News. 2 February 2020.
  2. Web site: Coronavirus: Third case confirmed in the UK. BBC News. 6 February 2020. 6 February 2020.
  3. News: Coronavirus closes Brighton GP practice. 11 February 2020. 11 February 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210204845/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51447761. 10 February 2020 . BBC News.
  4. Web site: Chief Medical Officer for England announces four further coronavirus cases . GOV.UK . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200210223522/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chief-medical-officer-for-england-announces-four-further-coronavirus-cases. 10 February 2020. 11 February 2020.
  5. News: Ninth coronavirus case found in UK. 12 February 2020. 12 February 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200212193433/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51481469. 12 February 2020 . BBC News.
  6. News: Four new UK coronavirus cases among ship evacuees. 23 February 2020. 24 February 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223210057/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51606368. 23 February 2020 . BBC News.
  7. News: First British coronavirus death confirmed. The Guardian. 28 February 2020 . 28 February 2020.
  8. News: . Coronavirus: Latest patient was first to be infected in UK . BBC News . UK . 29 February 2020 . 2020-10-31 . The man is a resident of Surrey who had not been abroad recently himself..
  9. News: Coronavirus: Older patient becomes first virus fatality in UK . BBC News . BBC News . 5 March 2020 . 5 March 2020.
  10. News: More than a hundred people in UK infected with coronavirus . The Guardian. 5 March 2020 . 5 March 2020.
  11. News: Coronavirus: Man in his 60s becomes third UK death . BBC News . BBC . 8 March 2020 . 8 March 2020.
  12. Web site: Man Utd v Man City, 2019/20 Premier League . www.premierleague.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20201118112007/https://www.premierleague.com/match/46891 . 18 November 2020 . en . live.
  13. News: 2020-04-30. Coronavirus: Cheltenham Festival 'may have accelerated' spread. en-GB. BBC News. 2020-12-09.
  14. Web site: Batchelor . George . Understanding the role of large gatherings on the NHS . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201219133131/https://www.edgehealth.co.uk/post/understanding-the-role-of-large-gatherings-on-the-nhs . 19 December 2020 . en . 27 May 2020 . Cheltenham Festival and Liverpool’s Champions League football match against Atletico Madrid led to an additional 37 and 41 deaths at local hospitals between 25 to 35 days later . live.
  15. Web site: Conn . David . 'We were packed like sardines': evidence grows of mass-event dangers early in pandemic . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201223105311/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/03/we-were-packed-like-sardines-evidence-grows-of-mass-event-dangers-early-in-pandemic . 23 December 2020 . 3 June 2020 . 35 days later, each had had approximately 40 more Covid-19-related deaths than comparable hospitals nearby . live.
  16. News: UK interest rates cut in emergency move . BBC News . BBC . 11 March 2020 . 11 March 2020.
  17. News: Gadher . Jonathan Calvert, George Arbuthnott, Jonathan Leake, Dipesh . 22 days of dither and delay on coronavirus that cost thousands of British lives . https://web.archive.org/web/20201221125448/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/three-weeks-of-dither-and-delay-on-coronavirus-that-cost-thousands-of-british-lives-05sjvwv7g . 21 December 2020 . en . 23 May 2020 . live . subscription.
  18. Web site: Coronavirus: Sports events in March 'caused increased suffering and death' . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201206000844/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52797002 . 6 December 2020 . 26 May 2020 . live.
  19. Web site: Thorp . Liam . Atletico Madrid match linked to 41 deaths in Merseyside hospitals . . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021002650/https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/atletico-madrid-match-linked-41-18305495 . 21 October 2020 . en . 25 May 2020 . Edge Health, which analyses health data for the NHS, has conducted modelling and estimated that the Liverpool-Atletico match is linked to 41 extra deaths at local hospitals in our region between 25 and 35 days after the game. . live.
  20. News: Tapper. James . Recruit volunteer army to trace Covid-19 contacts now, urge top scientists. 4 April 2020. The Guardian. 18 April 2020. 0261-3077.
  21. Web site: Heren. Kit . 31 May 2020. Contact tracers could deal with five people a week before scheme ended. 29 June 2020. Evening Standard.
  22. News: Coronavirus: Premier League and EFL suspended until 3 April at earliest . BBC News . BBC . 13 March 2020 . 13 March 2020.
  23. News: Coronavirus: English local elections postponed for a year . BBC News . BBC . 13 March 2020 . 13 March 2020.
  24. News: Coronavirus: All non-urgent operations in England postponed . BBC News . BBC . 17 March 2020 . 17 March 2020.
  25. News: Hospital's critical care unit overwhelmed by coronavirus patients . HSJ . HSJ. 20 March 2020 . 20 March 2020.
  26. News: UK pubs and restaurants told to shut in virus fight . BBC News. 20 March 2020 . 20 March 2020.
  27. Web site: NHS block books almost all private hospital sector capacity to fight covid-19. Illman. James . 21 March 2020. Health Service Journal. 16 May 2020.
  28. News: Coronavirus: Follow virus advice or 'tougher measures' likely, says PM . BBC News . BBC . 22 March 2020 . 22 March 2020.
  29. Web site: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. 26 March 2020. legislation.gov.uk . 23 April 2020.
  30. News: 'You must stay at home' UK public told. BBC . 23 March 2020. 23 March 2020.
  31. News: Coronavirus: Strict new curbs on life in UK announced by PM. BBC . 23 March 2020. 23 March 2020.
  32. News: Boris Johnson orders UK lockdown to be enforced by police. The Guardian. 23 March 2020. 23 March 2020.
  33. News: Hunte . Ben . Coronavirus postpones London Pride . BBC News . BBC . 23 March 2020 . 23 March 2020.
  34. News: Coronavirus: ExCeL Centre planned as NHS field hospital. BBC News. 24 March 2020. 24 March 2020.
  35. Web site: Churches now closed to clergy as well. www.churchtimes.co.uk.
  36. News: Vikram Dodd. England: police to get power to use force to impose coronavirus lockdown. 25 March 2020. The Guardian. 26 March 2020. 0261-3077.
  37. Web site: Coronavirus: latest information from England's CDO. Bissett. Gaby . 25 March 2020. Dentistry.co.uk. 29 May 2020.
  38. News: Dental practices to reopen from 8 June. Tom. Edgington . BBC News. 28 May 2020.
  39. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/350/regulation/6/2020-03-26 The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020
  40. News: Download and Isle of Wight festivals cancelled due to coronavirus . Ben . Beaumont-Thomas . The Guardian . 26 March 2020 . www.theguardian.com.
  41. News: Cancelled Download to be 'virtual festival'. BBC News. 16 April 2020.
  42. News: Hancock aims for 100,000 tests a day by May. 2 April 2020. BBC News. 22 April 2020.
  43. News: Coronavirus: Nightingale Hospital opens at London's ExCel centre. BBC News. 3 April 2020. 3 April 2020.
  44. Web site: Manchester City to investigate Kyle Walker over sex party during lockdown. 5 April 2020. The Guardian.
  45. Web site: Man City full statement on Kyle Walker disciplinary action. 5 April 2020. Manchester Evening News.
  46. Web site: Number of people in hospital beds in London drops. 10 April 2020.
  47. Web site: Publication of statistics on deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes in England: transparency statement. 28 April 2020. Office for National Statistics. 14 May 2020.
  48. 1250904238399598594. jburnmurdoch. Charts: London’s hospitals now have fewer covid patients with each day. John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times. 16 April 2020.
  49. Web site: Slides to accompany coronavirus press conference. 27 April 2020. GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office. 5. 28 April 2020.
  50. News: Coronavirus: Close family to be allowed to say goodbye to the dying – BBC News. BBC News. 15 April 2020.
  51. News: Care homes in England say coronavirus death toll has risen to 1,400. Robert . Booth. The Guardian . 15 April 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  52. News: Nightingale hospital 'example of pulling together'. BBC News. 16 April 2020.
  53. News: Virus tests expanded to more public service staff. BBC News. 17 April 2020.
  54. Web site: 5 June 2020. Analysis of death registrations not involving coronavirus (COVID-19), England and Wales. 6 June 2020. Office for National Statistics.
  55. Web site: Coronavirus: Free travel and middle door only boarding on London buses. 17 April 2020. Sky News. 19 April 2020.
  56. News: RAF plane en route to Turkey amid NHS kit row. BBC News. 20 April 2020.
  57. 1252341342379728897. jburnmurdoch. Charts: Hospitals in every region now have fewer covid patients than same time last week. John Burn-Murdoch, Financial Times. 20 April 2020.
  58. News: Virus study to track infection and immunity levels. BBC News. 23 April 2020.
  59. News: Essential workers in England to get virus tests. BBC News. 23 April 2020.
  60. Web site: Coronavirus testing extended to all essential workers in England who have symptoms. 23 April 2020. GOV.UK. Department of Health and Social Care. 24 April 2020.
  61. Web site: Mobile coronavirus testing units to target frontline workers. 26 April 2020. GOV.UK. Department of Health and Social Care. 26 April 2020.
  62. News: Millions more to be eligible for coronavirus tests. BBC News. 28 April 2020.
  63. Web site: Matt Hancock confirms 100,000 coronavirus testing target met. ITV News. May 2020.
  64. News: Queues build as city tips start to reopen. BBC News. 2 May 2020.
  65. News: Coronavirus: Nightingale hospital opens in Sunderland . 5 May 2020 . BBC News.
  66. Web site: New chair of coronavirus 'test and trace' programme appointed. 7 May 2020. GOV.UK. Department of Health and Social Care. 13 May 2020.
  67. Web site: Government expands expert team to rapidly roll out coronavirus test and trace programme. 12 May 2020. GOV.UK. Department of Health and Social Care. 13 May 2020.
  68. News: Notting Hill Carnival cancelled due to coronavirus. BBC News. 7 May 2020.
  69. News: Minister defends 'stay alert' advice amid backlash. BBC News. 10 May 2020.
  70. News: Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to launch threat level alert system. BBC News. 10 May 2020. 10 May 2020.
  71. News: PM unveils 'conditional plan' to reopen society. BBC News. 10 May 2020.
  72. Web site: PM address to the nation on coronavirus. 10 May 2020. GOV.UK. Prime Minister's Office. 25 May 2020.
  73. Web site: UK government warns of 'large epidemic waves' of coronavirus as it unveils new lockdown rules. Matt. Clinch. 11 May 2020. CNBC.
  74. News: Castle. Stephen. Landler. Mark. 11 May 2020. Bafflement Greets Boris Johnson's Plan for Reopening Britain. The New York Times. 12 May 2020. 0362-4331.
  75. News: PM 'not expecting' flood of people back to work. BBC News. 11 May 2020.
  76. News: New face covering advice for people in England. BBC News. 11 May 2020.
  77. News: 380,000 teachers sign petition demanding parents given choice to keep children at home. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-schools-uk-covid19-latest-return-date-june-exams-children-a9508456.html . 7 May 2022 . subscription . live. 11 May 2020. The Independent.
  78. News: Reading and Leeds festivals cancelled. BBC News. 12 May 2020.
  79. News: House moves and viewings to resume in England. BBC News. 12 May 2020.
  80. News: UK coronavirus death toll rises by 428 to 33,614. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-coronavirus-death-toll-new-cases-nhs-latest-update-a9514456.html . 7 May 2022 . subscription . live . 14 May 2020.
  81. News: Quarter of Covid-19 deaths in English hospitals were of diabetics. Campbell. Denis. The Guardian . 14 May 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  82. Web site: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection Survey pilot. 14 May 2020. Office for National Statistics. 15 May 2020.
  83. Web site: England's Covid-19 infection rate too high for further easing, experts say. Mason. Rowena. Devlin. Hannah. 14 May 2020. The Guardian. 15 May 2020.
  84. News: Coronavirus antibody test a 'positive development'. BBC News. 14 May 2020.
  85. News: Government agrees £1.6bn London transport bailout. BBC News. 14 May 2020.
  86. Web site: Deaths involving COVID-19 in the care sector, England and Wales. 15 May 2020. Office for National Statistics. 16 May 2020.
  87. News: Perraudin. Frances. 15 May 2020. All care home staff and residents in England to be tested for coronavirus. The Guardian. 16 May 2020. 0261-3077.
  88. Web site: Unions to discuss school reopening plan with Government's scientists. inews.co.uk. 14 May 2020.
  89. News: BMA backs teaching unions' opposition to schools reopening. Richard. Adams. Heather. Stewart. Libby. Brooks. The Guardian . 15 May 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  90. News: 'Stop squabbling' demand over opening schools. Sean. Coughlan. BBC News. 16 May 2020.
  91. Web site: Boris Johnson acknowledges 'frustrations' with new stay alert rules. ITV News. 17 May 2020.
  92. News: London congestion charge to be reinstated. BBC News. 15 May 2020.
  93. News: Jury trials resume after coronavirus hiatus. BBC News. 18 May 2020.
  94. News: Chelsea Flower Show: First ever virtual event opens . 18 May 2020 . BBC . 14 June 2020 .
  95. News: Project Restart: Premier League clubs allowed to train in small groups from Tuesday. BBC Sport . 18 May 2020.
  96. News: Track and trace system in place from June – PM. BBC News. 20 May 2020.
  97. News: More councils warn over opening schools on 1 June. BBC News. 20 May 2020.
  98. Web site: No new coronavirus cases in London over 24-hour period. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/coronavirus-new-cases-london-public-health-england-covid-19-a9523876.html . 7 May 2022 . subscription . live. 20 May 2020. The Independent.
  99. Web site: 4 June 2020. National COVID-19 surveillance report: Week 23. 13 June 2020. GOV.UK. Public Health England. 24.
  100. News: School reopening plan will go ahead, says PM. BBC News. 24 May 2020.
  101. News: Non-essential shops to reopen from 15 June – PM. BBC News. 25 May 2020.
  102. News: Hospital halts admissions as virus cases increase. BBC News. 25 May 2020.
  103. News: Women's Super League & Women's Championship seasons ended immediately. BBC Sport . 25 May 2020.
  104. News: Test and trace system will start on Thursday. James. Gallagher. BBC News. 27 May 2020.
  105. News: Premier League clubs agree to resume contact training. BBC Sport . 27 May 2020.
  106. News: Virus test and trace system kicks off. BBC News. 28 May 2020.
  107. BenPBradshaw. 1265943777589551104. 28 May 2020. Dido Harding just told me on an MPs' conference call that Test, Trace & Isolate won't be fully operational at local level till the end of June..
  108. Web site: Sarah . Neville . Helen . Warrell . Laura . Hughes . Technical glitches overshadow English track and trace launch. The Financial Times. 28 May 2020. 3 June 2020 . subscription.
  109. News: Lockdown easing to allow groups of six to meet. BBC News. 28 May 2020.
  110. News: Premier League set to restart on 17 June with Man City v Arsenal and Villa v Sheff Utd. BBC Sport . 28 May 2020.
  111. News: Premier League: BBC to show live matches when season resumes in June . BBC Sport . BBC . 28 May 2020 . 28 May 2020.
  112. News: Coronavirus rehab centre takes first patients. BBC News. 29 May 2020.
  113. Web site: Lockdown easing for coronavirus 'shielders' in England, Prime Minister announces. ITV News. 30 May 2020.
  114. News: Experts decry easing of coronavirus lockdown for England's shielders. Robert . Booth . The Guardian . 31 May 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  115. News: Lockdown easing in England 'modest' – Jenrick. BBC News. 31 May 2020.
  116. Web site: 31 May 2020. SI 558. 1 June 2020. Legislation.gov.uk. The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020.
  117. News: Schools back but mixed picture on pupil turn-out. Sean. Coughlan. BBC News. 1 June 2020.
  118. News: Customers queue for hours as Ikea reopens 19 shops. BBC News. 1 June 2020.
  119. News: Zodiakos wins as horse racing returns. BBC Sport .
  120. News: Horse racing and snooker make UK return. BBC Sport .
  121. News: Risk of dying is higher for ethnic minorities. BBC News . 2 June 2020.
  122. News: England to play West Indies in Test series in July. BBC Sport . 2 June 2020.
  123. News: Face coverings to be mandatory on public transport. BBC News . 4 June 2020.
  124. Web site: Worries that crucial 'R' number 'could be as high as one in parts of England' as UK value remains unchanged. ITV News.
  125. News: Coronavirus ban on evicting renters extended. BBC News . 5 June 2020.
  126. News: Chelsea named Women's Super League champions, Liverpool relegated. BBC Sport . 5 June 2020.
  127. News: Women's Super League: September targeted to start next WSL season – Kelly Simmons. BBC Sport . 5 June 2020.
  128. News: Premiership: 15 August targeted for resumption of season. BBC Sport . 5 June 2020.
  129. Web site: 11 June 2020. National COVID-19 surveillance report: Week 24. 13 June 2020. GOV.UK. Public Health England. 1, 24.
  130. Web site: 8 June 2020. Whole home testing rolled out to all care homes in England. 9 June 2020. GOV.UK. Department of Health and Social Care.
  131. Web site: 8 June 2020. Live updates: Coronavirus and dentistry. 9 June 2020. BDA.ORG. BDA.
  132. News: Plan dropped for all primary pupils back in school. Sean. Coughlan. BBC News . 9 June 2020.
  133. News: League One & League Two clubs vote to end seasons early. BBC Sport . 9 June 2020.
  134. News: Single people can stay the night with loved ones. BBC News . 10 June 2020.
  135. Web site: PM promises a 'huge summer of catch up' for pupils. Tes.
  136. News: England test and trace system identifies 31,000 contacts . BBC . BBC News . 11 June 2020 . 11 June 2020.
  137. News: Coronavirus 'wreaks havoc' on cancer services. Nick. Triggle. BBC News . 11 June 2020.
  138. News: Growing calls for government to cut 2m rule. BBC News . 11 June 2020.
  139. Web site: 13 June 2020. Meeting people from outside your household . 13 June 2020. gov.uk. https://web.archive.org/web/20200613131448/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/meeting-people-from-outside-your-household . 13 June 2020 .
  140. News: Government to review 2m social distancing rule. BBC News. 14 June 2020.
  141. News: Consumers 'should shop with confidence', says PM. BBC News . 14 June 2020.
  142. Web site: New rules on face coverings coming in on Monday will help keep passengers safe. GOV.UK.
  143. News: Where do I need to wear a face covering?. Michelle. Roberts. BBC News . 14 June 2020.
  144. News: Secondary pupils back – but most only part-time. BBC News . 15 June 2020.
  145. News: Great North Run cancelled over virus fears. BBC News . 15 June 2020.
  146. News: Food voucher U-turn after Rashford campaign. BBC News . 16 June 2020.
  147. News: The Premier League returns – all you need to know. BBC Sport . 16 June 2020.
  148. News: £1bn catch-up tutoring fund for England's pupils. Hannah. Richardson. BBC News . 19 June 2020.
  149. News: England children 'back to school in September'. BBC News . 19 June 2020.
  150. Web site: No ITU Covid-19 patients in England's biggest hospital trust, says Birmingham health chief. www.shropshirestar.com. 19 June 2020 .
  151. News: Shielding to stop in England on 1 August. Laura. Foster. BBC News . 22 June 2020.
  152. News: Lockdown to be relaxed in England as 2m rule eased. BBC News . 23 June 2020.
  153. Web site: Government aims to reopen gyms in mid July, says Culture Secretary. 23 June 2020. Evening Standard.
  154. Web site: Gyms could reopen by mid-July says Dowden, in a bid to stem anger at. Liz . Terry. www.leisureopportunities.co.uk. 23 June 2020 .
  155. News: New laws to ease outdoor drinking and dining rules. BBC News . 25 June 2020.
  156. News: Over 100,000 asked to stay at home to curb virus. Nick. Triggle. BBC News . 25 June 2020.
  157. News: Government publishes roadmap for England's theatres. Mark . Brown . The Guardian . 25 June 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  158. Web site: Government roadmap to reopen UK arts venues dismissed as 'meaningless'. 26 June 2020. The Guardian.
  159. News: Fans celebrating Liverpool title win told to leave. BBC News . 27 June 2020.
  160. News: Leicester 'could be locked down over Covid'. BBC News . 28 June 2020.
  161. News: Lockdown tightened in Leicester over Covid surge. BBC News . 29 June 2020.
  162. Web site: Leicester shops and schools return to lockdown after cases surge. Ben. Reid. 29 June 2020. nottinghampost.
  163. News: City 'faces lockdown extension' amid Covid surge. BBC News . 29 June 2020.
  164. Web site: Local lockdown ordered in English city of Leicester over high Covid-19 infection rate. 29 June 2020. CNBC.
  165. News: Leicester coronavirus outbreak: mayor 'frustrated' with ministers. Amy. Walker. The Guardian . 29 June 2020. www.theguardian.com.
  166. News: No singing part of new wedding rules for England. BBC News . 29 June 2020.
  167. News: County cricket: 1 August start as delayed season given green light. BBC Sport . 29 June 2020.
  168. News: GCSE and A-level 'back-up' exams for all subjects. Katherine. Sellgren. BBC News . 30 June 2020.
  169. Web site: Ofqual. 30 June 2020. CONSULTATION DECISIONS An additional GCSE, AS and A level exam series in autumn 2020. 3 July 2020. Gov.uk. [www.gov.uk/ofqual].