The pandemic has left people feeling lonelier, a major poll has found two years on from the first lockdown.
Almost half now see friends and family less, and nearly the same percentage leave the home less.
Four in ten 16 to 34-year-olds feel more lonely, the study from Ipsos UK and King’s College London shows.
And one in three people believe their physical and mental health has got worse. Two thirds say they have to wait longer to access the NHS.
Just two in 10 felt their lives had got back to normal.
The latest findings have been published on today’s second anniversary of the first Covid-19 lockdown.
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Researchers have tracked opinion from 1,300 Brits since April 2020.
Sir Jonathan Van Tam, outgoing deputy chief medical officer for England, said vaccination was key to continuing to beat Covid.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark being given the freedom of his hometown of Boston, Lincs, he said: “We are never going to eradicate this virus. We just have to remember the only reason we’re where we are today is through the power of vaccination.”
A minute’s silence will be held at midday in remembrance of those who died during the pandemic.
And people are being encouraged to shine a light or display flowers in their window at 8pm. Boris Johnson paid tribute to the heroic efforts of NHS staff. And he offered sympathies to everyone bereaved by coronavirus.
The Prime Minister said: “Those lost to Covid will never be out of our hearts and minds, and today we reflect as a nation.”
More than 57,000 unpaid carers in Wales are to get a £500 lump sum for their role during the pandemic.
