Written Question · S5W-34231 · Session 5
For what reason the number of people who can attend a wedding ceremony or reception is different depending on the level of restrictions for…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the number of people who can attend a wedding ceremony or reception is different depending on the level of restrictions for the area in which they take place, in light of people being able to travel from areas subject to different levels of restrictions to attend such events.
The answer
All of Scotland is currently at level 3 or level 4.
At level 3, marriage ceremonies can take place with up to 20 people attending. At level 4, marriage ceremonies can take place, but under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) no more than 5 people may attend (the couple, their celebrant or registrar and the two witnesses), or no more than 6 if an interpreter is required.
We have published guidance on marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations
At level 3, wedding receptions can take place with up to 20 people attending, whereas wedding receptions cannot take place at level 4.
There are restrictions on travel. At level 3, one of the examples of a reasonable excuse for entering or leaving a level 3 area is to attend a gathering which relates to a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) This is designed to cover both the marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration and any associated reception.
One of the examples of a reasonable excuse for entering a level 4 area from another part of Scotland is to attend a solemnisation of a marriage or registration of a civil partnership: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) This just covers the marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration and does not cover receptions.
One of the examples of a reasonable excuse for leaving home when you live in a Level 4 area is to attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration. This applies only where the person travelling is in relation to that marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration a party, a witness, the religious or belief celebrant solemnising the marriage or registering the civil partnership, or a required interpreter.
In relation to travel to and into Scotland from certain other parts of the common travel area, an example of a reasonable excuse is to attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration. Again, this is only where the person travelling is, in relation to that marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration, a party, a witness, the religious or belief celebrant solemnising the marriage or registering the civil partnership, or a required interpreter. Clearly, receptions are not taking place in level 4 in Scotland. Any person planning to travel to Scotland to attend a wedding should check restrictions on travel in place in the area where they live.
If the member has any specific concerns, he is welcome to write to me so I can consider any detailed points.
At level 3, marriage ceremonies can take place with up to 20 people attending. At level 4, marriage ceremonies can take place, but under The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) no more than 5 people may attend (the couple, their celebrant or registrar and the two witnesses), or no more than 6 if an interpreter is required.
We have published guidance on marriage ceremonies and civil partnership registrations
At level 3, wedding receptions can take place with up to 20 people attending, whereas wedding receptions cannot take place at level 4.
There are restrictions on travel. At level 3, one of the examples of a reasonable excuse for entering or leaving a level 3 area is to attend a gathering which relates to a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) This is designed to cover both the marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration and any associated reception.
One of the examples of a reasonable excuse for entering a level 4 area from another part of Scotland is to attend a solemnisation of a marriage or registration of a civil partnership: The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk) This just covers the marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration and does not cover receptions.
One of the examples of a reasonable excuse for leaving home when you live in a Level 4 area is to attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration. This applies only where the person travelling is in relation to that marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration a party, a witness, the religious or belief celebrant solemnising the marriage or registering the civil partnership, or a required interpreter.
In relation to travel to and into Scotland from certain other parts of the common travel area, an example of a reasonable excuse is to attend a marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration. Again, this is only where the person travelling is, in relation to that marriage ceremony or civil partnership registration, a party, a witness, the religious or belief celebrant solemnising the marriage or registering the civil partnership, or a required interpreter. Clearly, receptions are not taking place in level 4 in Scotland. Any person planning to travel to Scotland to attend a wedding should check restrictions on travel in place in the area where they live.
If the member has any specific concerns, he is welcome to write to me so I can consider any detailed points.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-34231 by reference.