A cathedral announced it wanted to ring a "Freedom Day" bell to mark the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England today, but was forced to make a u-turn after backlash from angry people.
The church in Chester, Cheshire, yesterday said on social media it would be ringing the bells between 1.30pm and 5pm to commemorate the day.
Following the announcement, locals called the decision "ridiculous", with a person saying there is "nothing to celebrate", Cheshire Live reports.
A person wrote: "Is it a Christian thing to celebrate a day that will cause thousands of unnecessary deaths and create even more stress amongst an already tired workforce who have given their all in the NHS. Sincerely hope the campanologists work from home tomorrow!"
Another added: "Seriously that is not a good look or a sensible idea. More people are going to die in this next wave.....it will not be freedom for them."
The complaints on social media led the cathedral to create another post on Twitter, apologising for the initial decision and confirming the bells would not ring.
It said: "We thank you all for your feedback regarding an intention to ring the Cathedral bells tomorrow marking 'Freedom Day'.
"We apologise sincerely for the insensitivity of this plan and for any upset caused. The bells will not ring tomorrow."
The cathedral also added: "The Dean refused permission for the proposed Monday ringing to take place on hearing about it."
Monday marks so-called "freedom day" in England when most remaining legal coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Social distancing limits are over, with no more "rule of six" and "one metre plus" restrictions.
Groups of more than six people from multiple households will be able to hang out indoors and outdoors.
Businesses will reopen, including shuttered nightclubs who can welcome party-goers back to dance floors.
Legal limits on mourners at funerals and those celebrating weddings will also end, as will school bubbles.
While face masks are no longer mandatory in indoor settings, the Government says it "expects and recommends" masks to be worn by workers and customers in crowded, enclosed spaces.
In London, Sadiq Khan has said they will still be compulsory on the capital's transport network.
Passengers in bus stations operated by combined authorities West and South Yorkshire, on the North East's Metro and Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram services will also be required to wear them under local rules.
Supermarket chains - including Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose - will encourage customers to keep masks on.
The latest figures released by the government yesterday showed a further 48,161 Covid cases have been recorded in the UK.
On Saturday, the country recorded its highest increase in cases in six months with 54,674 new infections.
A further 26 people died within 28 days of contracting Covid-19, bringing the UK's coronavirus death toll to 128,708.
