Question reference: S5W-30784
- Asked by: Tom Mason, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 17 July 2020
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Current status: Answered by Ash Denham on 10 August 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates being able to relax the restrictions on attendances at weddings and wedding receptions.
Answer
With effect from 15 July, Scottish Ministers removed the restrictions in the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 affecting attendance at marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations, subject to the need to maintain physical distancing within the couple’s chosen venue.
At present, we are advising that no more than 20 people should attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration, even where a larger number could be accommodated. This limit will be reviewed again on 20 August.
Receptions or other celebrations related to a marriage or civil partnership must continue to comply with the restrictions on public gatherings under the Health Protection Regulations.
We will continue to consider how to permit all marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations to take place, with improved hygiene and other precautions, during Phase 4 of our route map, taking account of medical and scientific advice. During Phase 4 we also anticipate that further relaxations on gatherings of family and friends will be possible.
The Scottish Government continues to keep the position under careful review. In relation to the Health Protection Regulations, as soon as the Scottish Ministers consider that a restriction or requirement in the Health Protection Regulations is no longer necessary to prevent, protect against, control or respond to the incidence or spread of the infection, the Scottish Ministers must end the restriction or requirement.