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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Jessica Sansome

There will be a minute's silence for NHS workers who have died during coronavirus pandemic

A nationwide minute's silence is being planned to remember key workers who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.

The commemorative move has been announced by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson.

Mr Johnson, who returned to work on Monday after battling the virus himself which left him in intensive care for three days, will take part in the minute's silence as well as government workers.

The nation are also being asked if they can observe the silence at 11am on Tuesday.

It comes after the Unison union, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Nursing launched a campaign last week for the nation to take a moment to honour frontline staff who have died during the Covid-19 crisis.

Between them, the organisations represent more than a million NHS and public service workers including porters, refuse collectors and care staff.

The minute's silence has been planned for Tuesday (PA)

On Monday, the PM'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."

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."

The PA news agency reports that more than 90 frontline NHS workers have died since March 25, and there have also been lives lost in other key sectors, including private social care and transport.

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