How to plan and celebrate safely this summer
For many of us, our families and friends have been at the heart of getting through the pandemic recognising the sacrifices that have been made during the pandemic and the need to get back to some form of familiarity, restrictions on weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, receptions, and commemorative life events such as wakes will be lifted from the 21st of June.
The changes allow people to celebrate their union with families and loved ones whilst also aligning the wedding sector with the way most other COVID secure venues operate such as restaurants and pubs – where COVID secure social distancing rules determine a venue’s capacity.
How can I make sure my Wedding is COVID safe?
• Continue to practice Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air guidance before, during and after the day.
• Get tested twice a week before and after the event, even if you do not have symptoms.
• Anyone displaying symptoms should not attend, immediately isolate, and get tested.
• Anyone planning to host a wedding ceremony must complete a COVID-19 risk assessment of the venue before the event takes place to establish how many people can attend.
What is the limit on the number of attendees?
• There will no longer be limits to venues. Instead, it is up to the event organisers to determine capacity limits with social distancing in place. This will be based on a COVID-19 risk assessment of the venue that must be conducted prior to hosting the event.
How do I know how many people can attend my wedding, civil partnership ceremony, reception, or commemorative event if I am organising it myself?
• If you are organising the event in a COVID secure venue, the venue manager needs to tell you how many people can attend socially distanced and in a safe way.
• If you are organising the event in another venue, such as a private garden, you must determine how many people can safely attend whilst also maintaining a safe distance from each other (1m with additional mitigation such as being outside or 2m apart) by conducting a COVID risk assessment that is available on Gov.uk.
Q. Are there restrictions on entertainment – live bands for example?
• Bands, DJs or professional performers can perform at a ceremony or reception as long as they follow Covid-secure guidance. Measures to reduce risk of transmission are set out in the government’s performing arts guidance, available at GOV.UK
• To minimise risk of droplet and aerosol transmission from the combined attendees including the performer/s, audience, wedding party and associated staff and site providers, outdoor performances are always preferable.
Can dancing take place?
• Dancing is not advised due to the increased risk of transmission. There is an exception for the couple’s first dance. Dancefloors and other spaces for dancing must remain closed but can be repurposed ensuring this is aligned to social distancing guidelines.
Visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
