15 May 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE

Travel advisory and other information surrounding Covid-19 and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Last updated 15 May 2020.

COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION STATEMENT ON COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS)

Despite the limitations placed upon us by the current situation, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is continuing its work to honour the war dead.

Over 80% of our operational teams around the world are back at work, making progress on the maintenance of our cemeteries and memorials while observing all safe working practices.

The majority of our office-based staff are working from home and although physical access to some of our facilities and services is not possible, we are still operating an enquiries service. In addition, we have created several digital offers – from our new podcast series to our Wall of Remembrance and Facebook Lives – to keep you up to date with our work. Please follow us on social media.

CWGC’s sites remain open but large-scale gatherings and commemorative events remain cancelled. We urge visitors to observe the latest advice before travelling to and while visiting a CWGC site.

CWGC will continue to monitor the situation and will update accordingly

TRAVEL ADVISORY

In the light of the World Health Organization declaring Covid-19 (commonly referred to as the coronavirus) a global pandemic, many countries across the world have introduced travel restrictions and other measures to reduce the spread of the virus and to keep as many people as safe and healthy as possible.

The CWGC would like to stress that while our sites remain open where possible, there are widespread measures in place across the globe which may affect your ability to travel.

Before making any plans to visit any of our sites, please check the local information and advice.

CWGC will continue to monitor the situation and will update accordingly.

REBURIALS AND REDEDICATIONS

Please note that scheduled reburial and rededication services have been postponed due to travel restrictions and other measures to limit the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19). Any future events will be assessed in line with local health advice.

COMMEMORATIONS AND EVENTS AT CWGC LOCATIONS

In the light of travel restrictions and other measures to limit the spread of Coronavirus events at CWGC sites may be subject to cancellation or postponement. Please confirm with event organisers before travelling.

CWGC has created a digital Wall of Remembrance on which members of the public can leave a tribute in lieu of a physical visit. The page can be accessed here.

Where possible, if we have been informed, cancellations that we are aware of will be listed here:

Dunkirk Little Ships 80th Anniversary has been postponed. - more information available here.
D-Day 76 events at Bayeux War Cemetery have been cancelled.

If in doubt, please check with the event organiser and current advice before travelling.

CWGF INTERNS

In the light of the country wide restrictions in force in the UK, Belgium and France, the CWGC has taken the decision to postpone the CWGF Intern programme for the time being.

VISITING THE CWGC ACHIVE

IThe CWGC archive is currently closed to members of the public for the foreseeable future. It will reopen when it is safe and appropriate to do so. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The online archive is accessible at http://archive.cwgc.org/

THE CWGC EXPERIENCE

The CWGC Experience will remain closed the for time being. We apologise for any inconvenience.

CWGC IEPER INFORMATION CENTRE

We will be opening The CWGC Information Centre on 30th May 2020 in line with Belgian regulations.

THE LAST POST CEREMONY AT THE MENIN GATE

In response to the growing incidence of the coronavirus, from Saturday 14 March 2020 and until further notice the following measures will apply to the daily Last Post Ceremony at 2000 hours under the Menin Gate Memorial:

The ceremony will be restricted to an absolute minimum; namely, the playing of the Last Post as a tribute to the soldiers of the Commonwealth who fell for our freedom.
No public allowed under the Menin Gate and we ask people not to be present.

For more information, please see: www.lastpost.be