Small weddings could be allowed from June in easing of coronavirus lockdown measures
In today's report detailing the UK's possible exit from lockdown, the Government announced it is looking at how groups can gather to allow for weddings.
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The current lockdown measures have been "extraordinarily disruptive to people's lives" since March 23.
New guidelines published in a 50-page document today reveal the Government is investigating whether it’s safe for two homes to mix together.
Now being reviewed by SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies), it could see friends and family finally reunited.
In a new outline of Boris's vision, it says: “The Government has asked SAGE to examine whether, when and how it can safely change the regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include one other household in the same exclusive group.
“The intention of this change would be to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, and to reduce the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, while continuing to limit the risks of chains of transmission.
“It would also support some families to return to work by, for example, allowing two households to share childcare.
“This could be based on the New Zealand model of household 'bubbles' where a single ‘bubble’ is the people you live with.”
The intention of this change would be to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, and to reduce the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, while continuing to limit the risks of chains of transmission.
The Government report
It continues: "In addition, the Government is also examining how to enable people to gather in slightly larger groups to better facilitate small weddings.
"Over the coming weeks, the Government will engage on the nature and timing of the measures in this step, in order to consider the widest possible array of views on how best to balance the health, economic and social effects."
It comes after Justice Secretary Robert Buckland told BBC Radio 4 that he was giving "anxious consideration" to the effect of potential changes for ceremonies as we enter the next stage of the coronavirus crisis.
His comments came after Boris Johnson outlined his 'roadmap' for easing Britain out of the lockdown - but failed to reassure expectant couples when their big days can go ahead.
In March, the PM announced a ban on all weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies - although funerals have still been allowed.
The issue came up on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour last night - when a panellist on the show said she was due to be on her honeymoon.
'WE WANT TO HELP YOU'
Asked about weddings, Mr Buckland said: "You'll be glad to know that we are giving anxious consideration to the issue of marriages.
"We want to help people like you, but there are also some people who are really... they want to get married because things are happening in their life that means they might not be together for a long time, and therefore I'm giving a lot of anxious consideration to the effect of the potential changes here as to what we can do with regard to marriage ceremonies.
"So watch this space, we're working on it."
Before the ban, the Church of England said the number of people attending church weddings during the crisis should be limited to the legal minimum of five.
They said that those attending a wedding should only include the priest, the bride and groom and two witnesses.
But councils have since encouraged couples to live stream their nuptials and ceremonies to guests via online platforms.
Mr Johnson last night laid out the "first careful steps" of easing the lockdown as part of a three-phase plan to get back to normal life.
He revealed that most of the strict measures will stay in place for now and failed to mention weddings or any other large gatherings.
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He did however tell anyone who was unable to work from home that they now would be expected to go back in.
He also added that from Wednesday, the Government will encourage everyone to do more exercise.
Schools and nurseries will also start to reopen from June 1 at the earliest, but pubs are expected to stay shut until later in the year.
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