Healthcare workers to get special gongs in Queen’s Birthday Honours for their efforts during the coronavirus crisis
CORONAVIRUS heroes will be honoured with special gongs in autumn to recognise their efforts during the pandemic.
Brits will be able to nominate doctors, nurses, care workers and volunteers who have made a real difference during the Covid crisis.
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Boris Johnson revealed the Queen had postponed her Birthday Honours List, which will now take place this autumn - with an added focus on those who have battled the virus.
The PM said yesterday: "There is, understandably, huge appetite across the country to say thank you to all those on the frontline, within our communities and in our public services, who are supporting the nation through these unprecedented times.”
He added: “I want to provide assurance today, however, that the moment to mark so many extraordinary actions will not be lost.”
The list will also include those honoured before the crisis started, who would have picked up gongs this summer.
I want to provide assurance today, however, that the moment to mark so many extraordinary actions will not be lost.
Boris Johnson
Frontline work supporting the most vulnerable members of society who caught the disease are expected to be rewarded along with those who provided and developed innovations to support the battle against the bug.
Mr Johnson said that the Covid heroes will be added to that list and will be announced “when we can properly celebrate the achievements of all those included.”
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The public can nominate those who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic on the .gov website.
The PM added: “We anticipate that COVID-19 recognition will happen across future honours lists, reflecting the on-going work being done by so many.
“To ensure we are capturing contributions from across the country I would encourage the public to put forward nominations for those they know are going above and beyond.
Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff
We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.
We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.
A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”
We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.
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