The British government announced on Thursday that the National COVID Memorial Wall in London, a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives during the pandemic, will be preserved permanently. Located on the Albert Embankment along the River Thames, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, the 8-foot-high Portland stone wall commemorates the approximately 240,000 COVID-related deaths in the UK and honors the sacrifices of key workers, particularly in health and care sectors. Established in March 2021 by the groups COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice and Led by Donkeys, the wall features over half a kilometer of hand-painted hearts, each representing a life lost. Volunteers, known as The Friends of the Wall, maintain the memorial, refreshing the artwork weekly with durable masonry paints. Culture Minister Fiona Twycross described the wall as a ‘powerful reminder of the pandemic’s toll,’ emphasizing the importance of remembering those who died. The government also pledged to continue an annual day of reflection in March and support the creation of additional memorial spaces nationwide. The UK, which experienced one of Europe’s deadliest COVID outbreaks, has faced criticism for its pandemic response, particularly the delayed lockdown in March 2020. However, its vaccine rollout has been widely praised. A national inquiry into the handling of the pandemic, launched two years ago, is ongoing and expected to conclude in 2027.
UK commits to ensuring ‘poignant’ COVID memorial wall in London will be preserved
