THE 2020 Remembrance Day and Armistice Day will still be commemorated across the Bradford district -but will be done in a different way this year due to Covid-19.

Remembrance and Armistice Days are key dates in the national calendar, and while people are still being encouraged to pay their respects, this year’s events will largely take place online and at home, in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the District's residents and veterans.

Residents and veterans are being encouraged to pay their respects at home, by observing the national two-minute silence, following the Council's social media and displaying a poppy poster from their home.

People are also encouraged to use the hashtag #Bradfordremembers on social media with any poppy pictures or other ways they are marking the day with their own acts of remembrance at home or at school.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford will lay a wreath at each memorial site across the district.

PHOTO GALLERY: Bradford district falls silent to mark Remembrance Sunday

Wreaths can also be placed at memorials from Friday 6 to Thursday 12 November without ceremony.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Sadly, there will be no official parades and services taking place this year but this important time will be marked.

"While there will be no public event in the city centre, Bradford Council is working with the Cathedral to live-stream a Service of Remembrance from Bradford Cathedral on 08 November at 10.30 am."

The Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Doreen Lee, said: "We are extremely proud of our Armed Forces past and present and this year’s Remembrance day and Armistice Day will of course by commemorated but in a different way to usual.

"We are hoping to hold a service that can be viewed online for Remembrance Sunday and a video on Armistice Day. We will safely, remember all those who sacrificed so much. Please pay your respects at home and do not come into the city centre.”

Leader of Bradford Council Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, said: "Remembrance Day is a hugely significant part of our civic calendar. It’s very sad that it can’t happen this year.

"However the safety of our veterans and residents is our number one priority and at this time we are asking people to remember at home.

“We know that COVID-19 has impacted a number of events and celebrations this year but we will continue to work with the local Armed Forces community and Royal British Legion to ensure everyone can reflect and remember."

Bradford Council Chief Executive Kersten England, said: "We will remember as we always do but it is now our turn to protect and fight for our Armed Forces and protect them and all our residents at this stage in the pandemic.

"Everyone will have the opportunity to pay their respects but it is right and fitting that this year we do that in a different way this year.”

Further details about how events can be followed online will be announced shortly.