Essex, like the rest of the UK, was hit hard by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021.

The number of people commuting into London from Essex every day dropped dramatically. Even in the lockdown periods some folk still braved public transport, because their jobs were classified as key workers. Others switched away from the trains and buses to reduce their chances of infection, and sales of bikes and scooters surged.

Working from home became the new normal, and many of the commuters will never go back to the full 5 days a week commute, spending time and money on overcrowded trains and overpriced season tickets. Working from home 3 or 4 days a week is a far better life/work balance.

Vaccination is. of course, the way out of the pandemic for everyone. The latest details on the vaccine roll-out in Essex are here. It includes information on how to book your vaccines and boosters, and on drop-in centres were you can get vaccinated without booking ahead.

Covid hit Essex University hard. Face to face teaching had to stop. Many overseas students stayed away or went elsewhere. It’s likely that a generation of overseas students has been lost due to travel restrictions. Their latest information on this is here.