This is how York looked, as the first lockdown took hold.
It was 24 March, 2020. The previous night the Prime Minister had broadcast to the nation to tell us to stay at home.
The following morning, we reported, the city centre “was very subdued but not empty”. Most shops were shut and the new restrictions on Shambles Market meant that only food stalls were open.
Most pharmacies were operating a one-in, one-out policy.
The city walls were shut to enforce the social isolating policy.
And the gates to Museum Gardens closed. A notice on the gates said: “The recent fine weather has seen large numbers of people using the space, putting social distancing measures at risk.”
These pictures were taken between 9am and 10am on 24 March by our photographer following the social isolating rules.
Little did we know then that we would still be in lockdown 12 months later.
York’s first lockdown
Monkgate The junction of Wigginton Road and Haxby Road Exhibition Square and York Art Gallery
A sign of the times Shambles without tourists Low Petergate King’s Square Goodramgate College Street Gillygate York Theatre Royal 
A heartening message York Explore Library and Archives Closed: the City Walls Closed: Museum Gardens Monk Bar Monkgate Bootham Bar Lendal Bridge The river and the Guildhall The River Ouse with a train on Scarborough Bridge 
Few stalls are operating on Shambles Market Almost empty But the food stalls can open Lord Mayor’s Walk at the Monk Bar junction
