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Queen vows 'COVID-19 won't overcome us' in Easter message
London, April 12
In her Easter message, the UK'S Queen Elizabeth II has stressed the importance of sticking to the coronavirus lockdown measures, saying that "by keeping apart we keep others safe".
With the COVID-19 outbreak rendering church services impossible, the 93-year-old monarch on Saturday delivered what was believed to be her first Easter address, which had the resolute message: "We know that coronavirus will not overcome us," the Metro newspaper reported.
The Queen's pre-recorded speech offered support to those marking the occasion privately as well as the wider country, adding: "But Easter isn't cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever."
It ended on the positive note: "May the living flame of the Easter hope be a steady guide as we face the future."
Social distancing was observed during the recording of the message, with the Queen delivering the address alone into a microphone set up in Windsor Castle's White Drawing room while the sound engineer was in a nearby room.
Saturday's message comes after the Queen's moving televised address to the nation on April 5 when she said that by remaining united the country would overcome the virus, and assured those in lockdown "we will meet again".
The British government has urged people to stay at home this Easter, the most important period in the religious calendar for Christians, amid fears that with continuing good weather, people would flock to parks and beaches and undermine its social distancing strategy, said the Metro newspaper report.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has acknowledged the warm weather but said it was too early to lift the social distancing measures.
The latest figures from the Department of Health reveal a total of 9,892 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, while the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK increased to 79,885.
Archbishop of Canterbury hails 'heroism' of front-line workers
The Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday hailed the "heroism" of the UK's front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic, as the country's churches remain closed over Easter for the first time in hundreds of years.
Archbishop Justin Welby led the UK's first-ever national digital Easter Sunday service from his kitchen from his apartment in central London, the BBC reported.
"After so much suffering, so much heroism from key workers and the NHS, we cannot be content to go back to what was before as if all is normal," he said in the sermon recorded on his iPad.
"There needs to be a resurrection of our common life."
The service was broadcast live on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday and was available to watch on the Church of England's website and Facebook page.
The Archbishop normally presides before a congregation of 1,500 people at Canterbury Cathedral on Easter morning.
However, all traditional Easter services have been cancelled to follow the government's rules on social distancing.
A message posted from Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Twitter account wished the country a happy Easter.
"This year across the country churches will remain closed and families will spend the day apart," the message said.
"But by staying home, remember, you are protecting the NHS and saving lives."
Meanwhile, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said the Easter break was a chance to reflect, in a sermon broadcast on 39 BBC local radio stations.
"This time of great testing enables us to distinguish what is truly important from all that is fleetingly desired, and has so often mistakenly been given pride of place in our ambitions," he said.
"Already we have to look forward to the rebuilding of our common life."
