Staff sign notifying people of a one minute silence in memory of those who died from COVID-19

Waitrose sign notifying staff about the one-minute silence at 11am on Tuesday 28 April 2020 to commemorate those who died from COVID-19, from Waitrose & Partners, Finchley and of the type used in Waitrose shops during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020

On International Workers Memorial day on 28 April 2021, the United Kingdom paused at 11am to remember key workers who had died from COVID-19.

Key workers are a range of people identified by the UK government as providing an essential service. These include people working in health and social care; education and childcare; key public services such as charities and journalists; local and national government for the COVID-19 response and essential public services; public safety and national security; transport including freight and supply chains; financial services, communication, and utilities.

33% of the total national workforce are key workers according to the UK Office for National Statistics. Key workers also faced a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their roles and responsibilities.