Weddings to Return Without Restrictions from 19th July, Boris Indicates
The Prime Minister said that he is hopeful final lockdown rules will be eased on the 19th July, which will allow weddings to return without legal restrictions.
Weddings in England will most likely return from the 19th July with no legal restrictions, the Prime Minister said on Monday.
Speaking at a news conference, Boris Johnson revealed that England was on track to end a large number of restrictions including the '1 metre +' social distancing rules and table service requirements at pubs and restaurants, while face masks will be made voluntary.
He set out what England would look like without restrictions in his address, and said he will confirm if this easing will happen on Monday 12th July.
If it goes ahead as expected, this will mean that weddings in England can offer a standing drinks reception and welcome the return of a full reception experience, including dancefloors reopening and guests able to socialise without masks.
Most importantly, this easing will get rid of any limits on guest numbers, which are currently determined by the socially distanced capacity of the venue.
READ MORE: The Latest UK Wedding Rules Revealed
Speaking about what he hopes to happen on the 19th July, Mr Johnson said, "From Step 4, we will remove all legal limits on the numbers meeting indoors and outdoors and allow all businesses to open, including nightclubs...
"We will end the one metre plus rules and the legal obligation to wear a face covering."
Last month, Mr Johnson lifted the 30 person limit on weddings but delayed the fourth and final stage of lockdown easing for four weeks.
The PM confirmed that the new 'Freedom Day' is still planned for Monday 19th July, however, he will be making another announcement on the 12th July to confirm if the Government's "four tests" on easing lockdown had been met.
The four tests are the jab rollout, vaccine effectiveness, hospital admissions, and new virus variants.
Currently 45 million adults have received their first jab and 33 million adults are double jabbed. By the 19th July, Boris said that every adult will have had the chance to receive their first jab.
The devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently have their own lockdown rules, which are also expected to ease in the coming weeks, subject to Government data.
The majority of Scotland is at Level 1 where up to 100 guests are permitted, facemasks must be worn inside and dancing is not permitted. Larger cities remain at the tighter Level 2 which has limits of 50 guests, while more remote islands have moved to Level 0 which will allow weddings of 200 guests.
From 19th July, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to move all areas of Scotland into the lowest Level 0 restrictions which would allow 200 guests, plus dancing and drinks receptions outside. From the 9th August, all wedding restrictions are expected to be removed.
In Wales, guest numbers are set by the socially distanced capacity of each individual venue. Dancefloors remain closed, masks must be worn inside except for when eating and drinking, and tables can have a maximum of six guests.
In Northern Ireland, guest numbers are also based on the socially distanced capacity at two metres for the ceremony and one metre for the reception. There is to be no dancing, and tables are limited to 10 guests (excluding children under 12 and the top table). Masks must be word indoors except when eating and drinking.
