In our post earlier today, we pointed out the apparent conflict between the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government’s guidance on Local authority preparations for Remembrance Sunday and Part 5 of the Westminster Government’s guidance, New National Restrictions from 5 November, which was updated on 1 November.
All has now been resolved. In his statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, the Prime Minister said this:
“Places of worship can open for individual prayer, funerals and formal childcare but sadly not for services. However, Remembrance Sunday events can go ahead, provided they are held outside, and observe social distancing” [our emphasis].
Presumably, that is conclusive.
Update: The MHCLG Guidance was updated on 3 November, following which The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England)(No. 4) Regulations 2020, SI 2020/1200 were published.
Though it doesn’t say anything about what we can or can’t do on Nov 11, which is more important to some people.
Stop press again: the guidance has been updated today https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-preparations-for-remembrance-sunday/local-authority-preparations-for-remembrance-sunday
It’s local authority events only, churches have to remain closed, and there’s no mention of churches holding services outside. It assumes we will hold remembrance events as part of live streamed services.
That’s my reading. There’s a useful summary by the LGA Local Remembrance Events, although the specific exemption referred to is not limited to The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Local COVID-19 Alert Level) (Very High) (England) Regulations 2020, but is included in the regulations for all tiers.
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