Funerals and weddings in Northern Ireland

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 SR 2020/187 were made and came into force at 5.45 p.m. on 25th August 2020; they were laid before the Assembly at 9.00 a.m. on 26th August 2020.  The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 SR 2020/150 as amended by SR 2020 No. 170 are amended in accordance with regulations 3 and 4.

Regulation 3 reduces the maximum number who can participate in an outdoor or indoor gathering not at a private dwelling from thirty people to fifteen people (subject to exemption). It also provides that the restriction on gatherings shall not apply to a funeral, but that those involved in a funeral shall comply with the Departmental guidance. It states:

In regulation 5 (restrictions on gatherings)—

(a) in paragraph 5(1) for “paragraphs (2) to (5)” substitute “paragraphs (2) to (7)” and for “thirty” substitute “fifteen”;

(b) in paragraph 5(2), after “private dwelling” insert “or to a funeral”;

(c) after paragraph 5(5) insert—

“(6) A person attending a funeral or responsible for organising or operating a funeral shall comply with the guidance on funerals issued by the Department of Health.

(7) Regulation 8 (offences and penalties) does not apply to a contravention of the requirement in paragraph (6).”

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