Residents urged to ‘paint York blue’ to show support for key workers

The walls turned blue in an impressive tribute from 2020. Photograph: City of York Council

City of York Council are once again encouraging people to show their support for the outstanding work of key workers across the country by painting York blue today (16 April).

In line with the national campaign to show our appreciation on Thursdays, the council has turned famous York landmarks blue, including the City Walls, Clifford’s Tower and Millennium Bridge, as residents clapped in a show of support for the NHS, emergency services, supermarket staff, waste crews, volunteers and other key workers in the city.

However, this Thursday, the Council is encouraging everyone in the city to #paintthecityblue and spread the message of support across York.

As individuals continue to practice social distancing in an effort to curb the spread of the virus, people around the city have been putting up their blue Christmas lights or blue flags in show of support for key workers during this situation.

Beyond demonstrating support for key workers, displaying lights, whether in your window or garden, is also an opportunity to show friendship and solidarity with neighbours, reminding the more isolated that there is someone there for them even if they cannot be seen.