IT is nearly four years since ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

March 23, 2020, will go down in history as the date when normal life in the UK was brought to a standstill for a distressing period of time.

The first lockdown remained in force for three months - as Covid-19 ripped through the country and claimed the lives of thousands of people. 

Non-essential businesses were forced to close, thousands of workers were told to avoid going into the office, and residents were only allowed to leave home for essential purposes, such as buying food or for medical reasons

As the fourth anniversary of the lockdown approaches, we have delved into the Telegraph & Argus' picture archives to show how quiet, how eerie Bradford looked at that time. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: BroadwayBroadway

Bradford's Broadway and Kirkgate shopping centres closed after Mr Johnson's announcement, although both settings said their essential units would stay open in line with laws at the time.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: IvegateIvegate

At the time, a key worker described Bradford city centre as "quiet and eerie" and added: "It was an experience - not necessarily a comfortable one, but an experience nonetheless."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: City ParkCity Park

Councillor Nazam Azam, of the City ward, said of the first lockdown: "The measures put in place are unprecedented for us all, apart from maybe those who witnessed the Second World War."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Centenary SquareCentenary Square

Cllr Azam added: "Our generation has not faced anything like this, but everyone is working very hard to fight it."


Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Manchester RoadManchester Road

Just look how quiet the roads were at that time...

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Hall IngsHall Ings

Hundreds of laws were made in the UK in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A children's roundabout cordoned offA children's roundabout cordoned off (Image: Acorn to Oak Nursery)Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A children's roundabout taped offA children's roundabout taped off

In his historic address to the nation on March 23, 2020, Mr Johnson said: "The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced for decades – and this country is not alone."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Forster SquareForster Square

"I urge you at this moment of national emergency to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives," he  added.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Outside BroadwayOutside Broadway

Nearly four years on since that announcement, millions of people up and down the country continue to remember loved ones they lost during the pandemic. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Closed play equipmentClosed play equipment

What are your memories of that time? 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Cleckheaton Cleckheaton

Starting in May 2020, the laws were slowly relaxed.

People were permitted to leave home for outdoor recreation - beyond exercise - from May 13.

On June 1, people were permitted to meet outside in groups of up to six people.

Most restrictions from the first lockdown were lifted on July 4, 2020.

However, further restrictions and two more national lockdowns followed as the virus reared its head again and the vaccine programme was rolled out.

On March 8, 2021, England began a phased exit from lockdown.