Covid Timeline

as strong as any’.’ Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, April 5 2020. Sat in sitting rooms packed with family, friends and food on Christmas Day 2019, with the Queen’s Speech on in the background, no one could have predicted that, just a few months later, Her Majesty would address us once again – this time with much needed words of gratitude, support, inspiration and hope.

As the New Year got under way we watched in horror as a highly infectious illness swept through China. In a bid to stop the rapid spread of coronavirus, which causes respiratory infection COVID-19, countries across the world closed schools, shops, non-vital services, and their borders.

Then, in March, it was our turn. Prime

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Minister Boris Johnson instructed us, plainly and simply, ‘you must stay at home’. He told the nation, ‘stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives’.

We came together to help our communities. We clapped our keyworkers. Our kitchens became offices, classrooms and an endless conveyor of snacks and meals. We Zoomed, Skyped and phoned our way through Lockdown to stay in touch with loved ones. We learnt new skills. We learnt to live in our new normal. And we did ourselves proud.

Here, we have put together a timeline showing how COVID-19 tore the world apart, made the unimaginable our reality, and broke our hearts – but never our spirit.

Coronavirus, believed to be spread by respiratory droplets created by coughing or sneezing, and by touching contaminated surfaces, hits Wuhan in China. We now know that the most common symptoms are a fever, new and continuous cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, loss of appetite, taste and smell. Terrifyingly, it can also be carried by people who have no symptoms January 31 – First UK case of COVID-19 confirmed

Strong measures to contain coronavirus begin. Because of how it is spread, we are told to avoid close contact with – and to stay two metres apart from - everyone except those we live with, and wash our hands frequently with soap and water, for 20 seconds each time Panic buying and stockpiling lead to supermarkets restricting purchases March 5 – First registered death from COVID-19 in the UK March 11 – World Health Organisation declares a global pandemic March 13 – London Marathon postponed March 17 – Euro 2020 football tournament called off March 19 – English football suspended March 20 – Schools close to all children apart from those of keyworkers and those who are classed as vulnerable. Pubs, bars, restaurants and gyms are among businesses told to shut, and people able to work from home must do so March 23 – Lockdown begins – we may only leave our homes for essential food, medicine, to give care, or for one form of exercise each day. More than 27 million of us watch Boris Johnson make this devastating announcement March 23 – Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces the government’s Furlough scheme, to pay 80 per cent of the wages of workers unable to do their jobs during Lockdown March 23 – Joe Wicks becomes The Nation’s PE Teacher March 24 – Tokyo Olympics postponed

April 5 – Boris Johnson hospitalised due to coronavirus April 12 – Boris leaves hospital Mid-April - More than 2 million cases are reported worldwide April 30 – Boris says UK is past the peak

June 1 – Schools begin to reopen for reception children and those in years one and six June 13 – The beginning of bubbles. An adult who lives alone may go into the home of one other person or family June 15 – Years 10 and 12 can return to secondary schools and non-essential shops are allowed to open June 29 – Areas of Leicester are subject to the first Local Lockdown due to an increase in cases

July 4 – Super Saturday – pubs, restaurants and hairdressers are among those services allowed to reopen Second half of July - More than 15 million global cases have been confirmed July 24 - Face coverings must be worn in shops in England

August 8 – Face coverings must now be worn at venues including museums, galleries, cinemas and public libraries August 21 – More than 22.7 million cases confirmed globally and over 794,000 deaths

September 13 – No more than 6 people to meet in groups inside or outside in England. Higher fines enforced by police for those breaking the rules. September 24 - All pubs, bars, restaurants and hospitality venues to close at 10pm.

2020 was dubbed the year of the optician, 20/20 being the optical language for normal vision, but with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic it swiftly became the year many people wish to forget. Clark Family Eyecare have been actively urging people not to forget their eyecare as lockdown saw an increase in people working from home, homeschooling and DIY

At Clark Family Eyecare, an opticians owned and run by mother and daughter, Cheryl and Annica Clark, lockdown didn’t stop them from being there for their customers. Customers were still urged to call if they had concerns for their eyes, broken spectacles which were repaired through a home collection and delivery service and a contactless delivery service for eyecare products was also introduced.

Based in the centre of Donington Market place, the team at Clark Family Eyecare are now reopen to routine eye appointments adapting their clinics to allow for additional cleaning and social distancing, a necessity made easier following on from their refurbishment just last year.

“We designed the refurbishment to accommodate our idea of having a journey through the practice which consisted of privacy and flow.” Says Annica, Managing Dispensing Optician. “We are blessed with space and wanted to create private spaces where eye health and spectacle choices could be discussed away from other customers. We didn’t predict that our creative ideas would be beneficial to allowing for social distancing.”

Whilst there is no longer a locked door policy in place all customers are urged to wait for assistance at the sanitising station located inside the main entrance, where numbers inside the practice are at maximum those who turn up without an arranged appointment will be asked to wait outside. If you intend on visiting the practice it is advisable to book ahead, even for small repairs or to book an appointment. Appointments can be easily booked over the phone and on the website using the new online booking service. The delivery of eyecare products is still ongoing where possible.

We have decide to reinstate the locked door policy due to the increase in the infection rate recently. Please replace with ‘Many changes have taken place to provide a safe environment for customers including multiple sanitising stations throughout the practice and a locked door policy to limit the numbers in the practice. For customers intending on visiting the practice for any reason are urged to call to arrange appointments, where possible, for services such as eye examinations, collections and repairs. Eye examinations can also be booked on the practice website and local delivery of eyecare products is still available on request.

In recent years the team at Clark Family Eyecare have been nominated for customer service awards based on their incredible customer service, customer satisfaction and their increased efforts to allow time.. Eyecare and eyewear is very personal and each customer has individual needs based on their lifestyle and day to day activities. This recognition is still at the forefront of the mind, despite other priorities to keep you safe, when in the care of the Clark Family Eyecare team from a personal greeting when entering the practice to individual styling and lens consultations when choosing eyewear.

New to Clark Family Eyecare is their affordable eyecare solutions including membership subscriptions for eyecare and contact lens care, interest free payment options and their latest collection of affordable fashion eyewear starting from just £99, where you can get show stopping style without the celebrity price tag.

So whether you want professional service in a friendly relaxed atmosphere or just a little care and attention when choosing your new eyewear for your wardrobe don’t hesitate to contact your local family opticians by calling them on 01775 821888, send over and email opticians.donington@clarkeyecare.co.uk or visit their website www.clarkeyecare.co.uk

Clark Family Eyecare are often showcasing events, new technology and frame ranges on social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram: search ‘Clark Eyecare’