Further detail needs to be provided on the amount of personnel that will be allowed attend weddings in Ireland when restrictions are lifted, Violet-Anne Wynne (SF) believes.
Violet-Anne has written a parliamentary question to Minister for Health, Simon Harris (FG) where she sought clarification on the amount of individuals that will be allowed to attend a wedding when Ireland enters phase five of the roadmap for reopening society and business.
Larger social gatherings are included in the fifth phase and the Clare TD said that couples, celebrants and businesses needed clarity on how this will apply to weddings. “I am however disappointed that the Minister for Health Simon Harris, has advised me that he will not be providing detailed guidance in relation to weddings as part of the easing of COVID-19 restrictions”.
Small weddings will be permitted from July 20th in phase four with larger weddings allowed to take place from August 10th. “Beyond maintaining social distancing there has been no further guidance by Government on the restrictions or on what constitutes a small or large wedding,” she stated.
Wynne flagged that over 3000 people contacted WeddingsOnline.ie seeking more clarity from NPHET and the Irish Government regarding weddings. “Wedding venues and service suppliers in Clare are doing work in terms of trying to accommodate couples for the future. Though some are asking how they should deal with the health crisis, and wondering whether they should cancel”.
“Phase 2 of the easing of restrictions on the 8th of June will allow weddings by a couple with witnesses though it is unknown if children will be able to attend. The first thing that people want to know is numbers. How many guests. But, businesses don’t yet know how they will be able to accommodate people with social distancing and are trying to interpret guidelines to see what’s possible,” the Sinn Féin TD added.
