Permit larger weddings based on guests testing negative for COVID-19

Current restrictions permit max. 30 guests at a wedding including suppliers; DJ, photographers & officiant etc. This petition asks that the limit be reviewed and raised for example if guests prove negative for a COVID-19 test prior to the wedding and engage in isolation measures until such time.

There is a stark contrast in the way bars, pubs restaurants operate compared to that of a wedding despite being very similar eg multiple people in one space, socially distanced with music, food & drinks. Multiple Individuals (capacity permitting) can remain in a pub for the duration of the day without much limitation apart from distancing, whereas a wedding is heavily restrained with a cap on guests, activities and time limits in cases. Please can this balance, especially on guests be reviewed.

On 4 January the Prime Minister announced a National Lockdown for all of England, in accordance with growing evidence of virus prevalence. Under these new restrictions, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies should only take place in exceptional circumstances. Up to six people can attend (including the couple). Anyone working is not included in that limit.

The Government understands the unique significance of weddings and civil partnership ceremonies. Currently, restrictions are in place due to the coronavirus pandemic. This is to protect the NHS and save lives.

We recognise that the restrictions may be disappointing for those planning such events. By their nature, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are events that bring families and friends together, including from across the country and sometimes across the world, making them particularly vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions on wedding and civil partnership ceremonies, as well as other forms of social contact are therefore necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Although COVID secure measures can be put in place to help mitigate the risk of transmission in different settings, they are unlikely to eliminate that risk completely.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, a range of COVID-19 health, non-COVID-19 health, economic, and social and wellbeing factors have been utilised to inform decisions on how to effectively impose restrictions in England. The Government continues to regularly make available scientific evidence supporting its COVID-19 response, including at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/scientific-evidence-supporting-the-government-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19