Britain will fall silent on Tuesday to honour frontline workers killed by Covid-19.
The call for a minute's silence came from nursing unions, and have been endorsed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The PM, who fought coronavirus himself and endured a brief spell in intensive care being treated by NHS staff, has confirmed all Government workers will observe the moment of respect, and urged the rest of the country to join in.
The silence will begin on Tuesday, April 28, at 11am, coinciding with International Worker's Memorial Day.
On Monday, the Mr Johnson's official spokesman said: “We will be supporting the minute’s silence.
“We will be asking everybody who works in the Government to take part and we would hope that others will take part nationwide as well.”
Nationwide, at least 90 NHS workers are confirmed to have died after a Covid-19 diagnosis, while there have also been lives lost in other key sectors, including private social care and transport.
Among the key worker victims in the North East, whose names will be at the forefront of many minds in our region, are 29-year-old NHS 111 nurse Rebecca Mack, from Morpeth, and 51-year-old mental health nurse and dad-of-two Steven Pearson, from Cramlington.
The Unison union, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing launched a campaign last week for the honour to be paid to all key workers who have died after being diagnosed with the virus.
Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “I am very pleased the Prime Minister is going to be taking part in the silence tomorrow.
“This moment will bring together a sombre but grateful nation. Whether in nursing or driving buses, our heroes kept going to work when many had the luxury of staying at home. Nobody should go out to work and risk their life.
“This must not be the last time that sacrifice is recognised. The country and its leaders owes a tremendous debt to these key workers and the many more who are on shift again today.”
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: “We’re pleased to see the Prime Minister and the Government are joining the many organisations that have pledged support for this important occasion. Boris Johnson has seen first-hand how NHS staff are going to remarkable lengths to keep us all safe.
“The least we can all do tomorrow is spare a moment to pay our respects and show our gratitude to all the key workers who have lost their lives."
