Easter through the Covid pandemic in south east London

This time last year - and the year before that - the talk of the town was about what we will have learned and what we’ll be doing when the Covid-19 pandemic ends.

As we enter our first year of Easter celebrations post pandemic, we thought it would be a sentimental idea to look back at the nostalgic memories of south east London during the coronavirus outbreak.

Easter 2020 – The first Covid Easter break

During Easter 2020, just after the UK entered its first national lockdown, south east Londoners were warned over social distancing rules and police officers patrolled the London boroughs ensuring no more than six people were meeting outside.

Officers talk to members of the public at a park in Northampton, as police announced they were toughening up their social distancing enforcement (Joe Giddens/PA)

According to Greenwich Council, hundreds were caught flouting social distancing guidelines from sunbathing to football matches as temperatures rose and people looked to enjoy the bank holiday of 2020.

Temperatures soared over London during this Easter weekend, although many south east London streets were left empty, as people attempted to stay home and reduce the transmission of Covid-19.

The M1 in Bedfordshire was among the many quiet roads in the UK as there was no mass Easter getaways

To put it frankly, south east Londoners remained home and ate tonnes of chocolate during Easter 2020 – well, we did anyway.

• READ MORE: National Trust UK events to keep the kids entertained over the Easter holidays

Easter 2021 – The rule of SIX

In 2021, Easter Sunday fell on Sunday 4 April, just over a week earlier than 2019’s year’s date of 12 April.

From March 29, members of the public were finally allowed to reunite in either groups of six or two households outside – this included private gardens.

Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, were also allowed to be reopened, and people seemed to use Easter 2021 to take part in “formally organised” outdoor sports… fun.

Outdoor sports could return from March 29

During this unprecedent time and after more than a year of the pandemic, the main Easter activity was well, walking, and south east Londoners had plenty of walking routes to choose from.

Greenwich Park

The weather was pretty mild during the 2021 Easter weekend, with warnings of gale-force winds and even snow to parts of the UK over the bank holiday – that didn’t happen.

Police warned against mass gatherings under the coronavirus regulations, so most south east Londoners had no choice but to have a humble yet relaxing Easter weekend.

Easter 2022 – A four day weekend of freedom

Alas - Easter 2022 is here – and south east London is full of exciting and adventurous activities to take part in.

Up at The O2 will be offering Easter biscuit decorating alongside its climbing experiences during half term (PA)

Welcoming the four-day weekend, south east London is home to some fantastic events, including Easter Egg hunts, bottomless brunches, hilarious theatre shows and of course – the fabulous walking routes we all grew to love during the pandemic.

Crocuses at National Trust's Wallington Hall where you can take part in an Easter adventures in nature trail. Picture: PA

The weather across this Easter break will be largely dry and sunny, with a slim chance of showers.

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletters to get updates sent straight to your inbox.