THE leader of Slough Borough Council reflects one year on since the first Covid-19 lockdown was introduced.

Yesterday, a national minute’s silence was held at midday to reflect on what has happened since the first lockdown as well as those lost during the pandemic.

On March 23, 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tough restrictions on people’s lives and livelihoods in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

READ MORE: Berkshire Covid figures: A year on since lockdown

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of Slough Borough Council, released a video reflecting what happened during the pandemic as well as looking forward to the future post-Covid.

He said: “Today [March 23] marks the first anniversary of the first lockdown agreed by the government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in March of 2020.

“The year since then has been one like no other for all of us.

“I, and I’m sure many of you, have lost colleagues, friends, loved ones to this terrible disease.

READ MORE: Third Covid-19 wave a "real risk", warns Windsor & Maidenhead's health lead

“I know the council staff have lost many members and family. We’ve lost one of our own councillors and for others, the battle with Covid has been lengthy and difficult.

“Like other people, I have used today to mark a moment of reflection and just pause and think about all of we’ve been through together – but I think it’s also important that we use today to start thinking about the world that comes next.

“How we reshape it to be a bit different, that we spend more time on the things that matter, delivering the things that change things for the better.”