diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b0e4711..54670df 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ This image provides various versions that are available via tags. `latest` tag u
 | Tag | Description |
 | :----: | --- |
 | latest | Stable releases |
-| focal | Stable releases, on a focal baseiamge |
+| focal | DEPRECATED - Stable releases, on a focal baseiamge |
 
 ## Application Setup
 
@@ -262,6 +262,7 @@ Once registered you can define the dockerfile to use with `-f Dockerfile.aarch64
 
 ## Versions
 
+* **19.01.21:** - Deprecate the focal tag.
 * **12.07.21:** - Rebase to focal
 * **11.07.21:** - Bump node to 14 to fix builds
 * **08.05.21:** - Fix doc link
diff --git a/readme-vars.yml b/readme-vars.yml
index 21a84b3..3c81fc9 100644
--- a/readme-vars.yml
+++ b/readme-vars.yml
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ available_architectures:
 development_versions: true
 development_versions_items:
   - { tag: "latest", desc: "Stable releases" }
-  - { tag: "focal", desc: "Stable releases, on a focal baseiamge" }
+  - { tag: "focal", desc: "DEPRECATED - Stable releases, on a focal baseiamge" }
 
 # container parameters
 common_param_env_vars_enabled: true
@@ -75,6 +75,7 @@ app_setup_block: |
 
 # changelog
 changelogs:
+  - { date: "19.01.21:", desc: "Deprecate the focal tag." }
   - { date: "12.07.21:", desc: "Rebase to focal" }
   - { date: "11.07.21:", desc: "Bump node to 14 to fix builds" }
   - { date: "08.05.21:", desc: "Fix doc link" }
diff --git a/root/etc/cont-init.d/99-deprecation b/root/etc/cont-init.d/99-deprecation
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81a9e6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/root/etc/cont-init.d/99-deprecation
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+#!/usr/bin/with-contenv bash
+
+echo '
+******************************************************
+******************************************************
+*                                                    *
+*                                                    *
+*             This image tag is deprecated.          *
+*      We will not offer support for this tag        *
+*             and it will not be updated.            *
+*                                                    *
+*                                                    *
+******************************************************
+******************************************************
+
+latest tag is now based on Ubuntu Focal
+
+
+******************************************************
+******************************************************'
\ No newline at end of file