Several routine activities, business operations put on hold during U.K. mourning period for Queen Elizabeth II

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, the U.K. entered a period of mourning. Traditionally, this period would last 12 days. However, in this case, King Charles III has ordered the mourning period for his mother to last until seven days after the her funeral, which is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 19.

While there is no federal requirement from the British government to do so, several organizations, programs and businesses are opting to shut down on that day. 

Patients will be unable to undergo "non-essential" medical procedures or attend appointments at most British hospitals on Monday, the BBC reports. The cancellations will affect planned outpatient operations such as hip and knee replacements and cataract surgeries, which will need to be rescheduled. The National Health Service reports that more than 6.7 million people are on waiting lists for healthcare in England as of June 2022.