Couples planning to tie the knot in November are likely to have to find another date, as weddings and civil partnerships have been banned under the new national lockdown rules for England.
They will only be allowed to take place in ‘exceptional circumstances’ – but the government has not yet clarified what such reasons could include.
The ban is set out on the government website, which states: ‘Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.’
It does not give further details.
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Funerals will still be allowed to go ahead, with a maximum of 30 people attending.
The new national lockdown will last from Thursday November 5 until Wednesday December 2.
Under tier one and two local lockdown rules, weddings and sit-down receptions had been allowed to take place with a maximum of 15 people, including the bride and groom.
Tier three saw wedding receptions banned, but ceremonies of up to 15 people had been allowed to go ahead.
The new ban takes the country back closer to the position in March, when weddings and baptisms were also banned.
Like then, funerals are now the only major ceremony allowed to still go ahead.
The current rules say: ‘Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people, and it is advised that only close friends and family attend.
‘Linked ceremonial events such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 15 people in attendance. Anyone working is not included. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.’
Places of worship will be closed as a general rule, with exceptions for private worship, broadcasting services, and for organisations such as food banks.
Boris Johnson announced the national lockdown last night at a press conference from Downing Street.
He said that people were once again urged to ‘stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives’ – the same slogan used in the first lockdown earlier this year.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/11/01/weddings-and-civil-partnership-ceremonies-banned-in-national-lockdown-13516040/