KEY workers who have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic have been remembered with a nationwide silence.

People across the UK paused for a minute at 11am today (Tuesday, April 28) in sombre tribute to the sacrifice made by those on the front line, in roles ranging from doctors and nurses to carers, cleaners, porters and bus drivers.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has just returned to work after recovering from Covid-19, joined the countrywide commemoration, which the Unison union, the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal of College of Nursing had campaigned for.

Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: “I am heartened to hear how many people took part in the minute’s silence to honour the memory of staff who have tragically died during the pandemic.

“We thought it was important to pay tribute publicly to those who have lost their lives to the virus, and I am proud that so many took the time to do so this morning.”

Staff at various healthcare sites gathered safely where they could to remember colleagues - more than 90 frontline NHS workers have died from Covid-19 since March 25.

Carers and bus drivers are also among those who have died while carrying out their vital work during the pandemic.

Senior nurse Roisin Devlin said: “In healthcare, teamwork is so important and, when you lose a member of that team, it is like losing a family member.”

In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford and Health Minister Vaughan Gething marked the silence at the Welsh Government headquarters in Cardiff.

Today’s silence – held on International Workers’ Memorial Day – was in stark contrast to the enthusiastic, loud clapping which has become a weekly focal point across the UK.