Covid 19 (Updated Tuesday 23rd February 2021)
In brief, these are the guidelines we must all follow for the time being:
Baptisms:
Emergency baptisms: can take place in hospital or at home, though subject to strict hygienic precautions and physical distancing as far as possible.
From "no earlier than" 17th May: baptism services may take place in church.
Funerals:
Current restrictions: Funerals can go ahead with a maximum of 30 people attending the service. Wakes are not permitted.
From the 8th March: Funerals can go ahead with a maximum of 30 people attending the service, and a maximum of 6 people at a wake.
From “no earlier than”* 12th April: Funerals can go ahead with a maximum of 30 people attending the service, and a maximum of 15 people at a wake.
From “no earlier than”* 17th May: Funerals can go ahead with a maximum of 30 people attending the service, and a maximum of 30 people at a wake.
From “no earlier than”* 21st June: Funerals can go ahead with no limit on the number of people at the service; but subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme
*“no earlier than”: This means that the date (and restrictions) stated by the Government could be put back.
We are also awaiting guidelines from the Church of England once they have reviewed the detail of the Government’s announcement on the 22nd February.
Weddings:
Current restrictions: Weddings can go ahead, but only in exceptional circumstances.
From the 8th March: Weddings can go ahead, with a maximum limit of 6 people; the restriction on “only in exceptional circumstances” is lifted.
From “no earlier than”* 12th April: Weddings can go ahead with a maximum limit of 15 people at the service**
From “no earlier than”* 17th May: Weddings can go ahead with a maximum limit of 30 people at the service**
From “no earlier than”* 21st June: Weddings can go ahead with no limit on the number of people at the service**; but subject to the outcome of the scientific Events Research Programme
*“no earlier than”: This means that the date (and restrictions) stated by the Government could be put back.
**Limits on numbers at a reception may be lower; please check these independently.
We are also awaiting guidelines from the Church of England once they have reviewed the detail of the Government’s announcement on the 22nd February.
I am here to support you in the changes to your plans and finding suitable date in the future. I am sorry that we are all having to consider these things and change the plans we had been working on. If you have any questions regarding getting married in church, please contact me and I will do my best to answer them.
Keep well. Keep safe. God bless, David