This is a timeline about events in the Covid-19 pandemic which may have impacted people who are vulnerable to, or already experiencing, a forced marriage in the UK. It includes key restrictions on relevant activity, such as holding weddings or on households mixing, and traveling (within, and outside, the four nations of the UK). We also recorded other restrictions, such as school-closures and “stay at home” orders, which may have made it harder for those at risk to access help and support, or for those with safeguarding responsibilities to spot signs of risk. For context, we have also included some other information, for instance about case rates. Thus, this is not a comprehensive list of all relevant, Covid-related events or restrictions. It does not include everything we found which might be relevant for forced marriage risk, just what seemed most important for inclusion on a useable and informative timeline. This said, we hope it gives a sense of the potential impact of Covid-19 on people already experiencing, or at risk of, a forced marriage. It may also be useful to other researchers and people interested in the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK, as the restrictions and events recorded impacted the whole community. ;xNLx;;xNLx;Authors:;xNLx;;xNLx;Dr Naomi Lott;xNLx;Fiona Collins-Taylor;xNLx;Hannah Coggins;xNLx;Dr Rumana Hashem;xNLx;Dr Helen McCabe
Earliest symptom onset date of first patient admitted to hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and identified as suffering from novel Coronavirus.
WHO is informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
First Meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) regarding Covid-19
First meeting of UK Civil Contingencies Committee (Cobra) on Covid-19.
First recorded case of person-to-person transmission of Covid-19 in UK (Hull). The first person to fall ill had recently returned from Wuhan.
Following recommendations of the Emergency Committee, the WHO Director-General declared that the outbreak constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
Two Chinese nationals visiting York taken to hospital.
UK Chief Medical Officers recommend increase in UK risk level from "low" to "moderate". They advise Westminster and devolved governments "to escalate planning and preparation in case of a more widespread outbreak".
Chief Medical Office confirms first two cases in England.
The number of Covid-19 cases worldwide overtakes those of the SARS epidemic in 2003.
"Novel Coronavirus" first offically named Covid-19.
UK cases surpass 10, with four new cases associated with the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship bringing the total to 13.
Outbreak associated with a Nike conference in Edinburgh. 8 residents of Scotland were among the 25 reported cases.
First cases reported in Northern Ireland.
First Confirmed case in Wales confirmed (linked to an outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess)
First official confirmation of a case in Scotland.
First death in England.
UK Government unveils “Coronavirus Action Plan”. The UK is described as “well-prepared”. Four stages of response were outlined: “Contain”, “Delay”, “Research” and “Mitigate”.
Scotland cases surpass 10, with total at 13.
UK reach over 100 cases, with total cases at 114.
Number of confirmed cases globally surpasses 100,000.
WHO makes the assessment that the Covid-19 outbreak should be called a pandemic
England reach over 10 deaths, with total at 14.
Scotland cases surpass 100, with total at 131.
Scotland records its first death.
UK Government announces they are moving from “contain” to “delay” phase of response. UK Chief Medical Officers raise the risk from “moderate” to “high”.
Director General of WHO says Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic.
UK cases over 1000, with total at 1061
UK deaths exceed 100, with total at 108. England deaths at 105.
Prime Minister advises everyone in the UK against “non-essential travel”, and suggests people avoid pubs, theatres and clubs, and work from home if possible. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51917562 Last accessed 7.5.21.;
Health Secretary Matt Hancock MP, tells the House of Commons that all unnecessary social contact should cease.
First deaths in Wales, totalling 3.
The First Minister of Scotland requests all people to minimise social contact (avoid public areas/transport/work from home when possible etc.).
Foreign Office advises against all non-essential overseas travel.
OFSTED inspections of schools (in England) suspended.
Welsh Minister for Education, Scotland’s First Minister, and UK Prime Minister all announce schools will close at the end of Friday 20 March. Northern Ireland’s First and Deputy First Ministers announce schools in the country will close that very day to pupils, and from 23 March to staff. Nurseries; primary and secondary schools; and Further Education colleges all close for in-person teaching or care, except for the children of key workers and child considered vulnerable. Guidance from the Department for Education states that “vulnerable children and young people” include those who are assessed as being “in need” under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 including those with a child protection plan. “Children who do not fall into these groups should remain at home with appropriate care”.
First death in Northern Ireland recorded.
Schools close.
Scotland deaths reach over 10, totalling 14.
England deaths reach over 1000, totalling 1095.
Global coronavirus cases double from the last week reaching almost 330,000 cases.
Prime Minister announces a “stay at home” order, lasting three weeks, in a television broadcast. The restrictions announced have become known as “lockdown”. Among other things, all weddings were stopped with immediate effect; people had to "stay at home", and not leave without "a reasonable excuse". These included "to access critical services (e.g. childcare/education where permitted, social services, services for victims of crime etc.)" and "to avoid injury or illness or to escape harm". Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also went into ‘lockdown’.
Foreign Office advises all British Nationals to return to the UK now.
UK deaths exceed 1000, with total at 1175. England deaths at 1095.
Scotland reaches over 1000 cases, with total at 1082.
UK cases over 10,000, with total at 11,658.
"Lockdown" restrictions became law in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020. Corresponding regulations came into force for Scotland (27th March), Northern Ireland (28th March), and Wales (26th March 2020).
Deaths in Scotland exceed 100, totalling 119.
31 March 2020: Scottish First Minister highlights availability of Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline in her coronavirus statement.
Global cases pass one million.
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