At this time last year, COVID-19 had already begun to spread in Japan, but people could still enjoy going to various public events.
ーAt this time last year, COVID-19 had already begun to spread in Japan, but people could still enjoy going to various public events.
「昨年の今頃はすでに日本でコロナウイルスが流行し始めていたが、人々はまだいろいろな公共イベントを楽しめていた」
at this time last year で「昨年の今頃」
... had already begun to ~ で「…はすでに〜し始めていた」
... could still ~ で「…はまだ〜できていた」
ご参考まで！
カナダ 
