It's 100 days since Boris Johnson first told us to 'stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives'.
Ahead of a major easing of lockdown at the weekend, we take a look at some of the most striking images from across Kent - from rainbows stuck up in windows to queues as shops reopened.
Sheerness was a ghost town as a result of the coronavirus scare and lockdown being put in place just five days earlierLeysdown in lockdown. Shop shutters were down, the coast was almost empty and parks were silent.The coast was almost empty in Leysdown and across the countyTo brighten the days of NHS and essential workers, families flooded their windows with rainbows. This one is from Harrison, 7.Pictured with her work of art is Imogen Comery, eight, of Gadby Road, SittingbourneThis one is from Shelley Watson in Woodberry Drive, SittingbourneChildren of key workers also got in on the act those at Regis Manor School in Sittingbourne made this beautiful display.The NHS logo beamed onto the side of Rochester Castle as the Cathedral next door is lit up blue for the Clap for Carers to support NHS workers during coronavirusThe Brook Theatre in Chatham was also lit up. Throughout lockdown, these landmarks were lit up in blue to show support for the NHS.Then lights started appearing in the sky. They turned out to be Space X satelittes. These were captured in Gravesend. Picture: Jason ArthurNew community hubs were built in areas such as Canterbury to deliver food to the vulnerableIt was in response to requests for help from 1,000 peopleOn April 22, gunshots were heard from the penthouse balcony of one of the Quays towers near Dockside, Chatham.The gunman posted video of himself listening to loud music and showing off various weapons on social media before the police arrived.May was kicked off by a big cat sighting being called in near SevenoaksIt turned out to be a 20 year old tiger sculpture.Street parties planned for VE Day had to be rethoughtResidents of Greenside, Maidstone, had to make their street party socially-distancedThey refused to let the pandemic stop them paying tribute to the troopsSheppey pensioner Tim Bell, 75, even turned himself into a Second World War tank to mark the day. Picture: James BellThe peace and quiet on the roads came to an end around May 20. These cars in Strood are heading in the direction of a popular fast food restaurant...As McDonalds opened it's restaurants for drive-thrus the numbers of cars went up dramatically. This was the scene in Bobbing on May 26.People were so keen to get their fast food fix that police community support officers were recruited to control the traffic. This was in Aylesford.It later fell and the family was left devastated and said they will have to work towards rebuilding their lives.While lockdown easing was still the main focus in the news at the start of June, attention was turned to Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey after a cliff collapsed leaving a home teetering on the edgeAs lockdown measures continued to ease, on June 15 non-essential shops were able to reopen. Shoppers queued outside Primark at Westwood Cross at the first opportunityOnce again, people were eager to return to their High Street favourites. This is the queue for Sports Direct in Dover. Picture: Paul AmosPrimark proved particularly popular with shoppers queuing in Folkestone from around 9.30amLife has slowly started to resemble a "new normal". But the heatwave last week caused quite the unique event. Picture: Frank Leppard PhotographyA major incident was declared in Bournemouth as people filled the beaches. Here in Kent, 62,000 basked in the sunshine in Thanet. Picture: Frank Leppard PhotographyAnd once they had jumped back on the train, they left a lot behind...
The rules of who can visit who will also be changed, with two households of any size will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing in place.
