Cheshire wedding venue says Freedom Day delay another "kick in the teeth" for industry
It's after the PM confirmed step four of lockdown-easing will be postponed - with small changes for weddings
Boris Johnson has confirmed that the coronavirus restrictions in England, due to be lifted on Monday 21st June, will be continuing for another four weeks, but that some things, like the cap of 30 on the number of guests at weddings will be scrapped.
The Prime Minister confirmed restrictions will stay in place until Monday 19th July, with no numeric restriction on guests at weddings, however the capacity of venues will be limited by social distancing and you won't be able to have a disco, usual entertainment or dancing inside the venue.
"It is a kick in the teeth. It's going to have a massive impact on the wedding industry, not just me" said Beverly Wedgewood runs Alcumlow Wedding Barn in Congleton, Cheshire.
"We can't find dates to accommodate brides moving and changing we as a venue are not able to charge the full hire and are working at less than a breakeven figure just to keep the industry alive.
"We can't keep continuing to put our trade on hold on any longer."
"It's going to have a massive impact on the wedding industry, not just me. The bands, the live singers and DJs - because evening entertainment is not allowed in venues. Then, masks have to be worn on photographs, on family portraits, registrar's and churches only have limited times and dates in any 12-month period.
"In the immediate time if they could just give us this season because we've lost so many for last year, then at least it means we're not putting brides and grooms back another 12 months."
Beverly welcomes the lifting of the cap on guests, but says with the restrictions not easing on June 21st, it throws further turbulence and challenges on to the fast approaching summer wedding season, and bookings from couples in the coming weeks.
She said: "The feedback from brides and grooms is that if they could have at least 50 attending the wedding, it does account for all the people that they want to include as their main guests in the immediate - but we can't accommodate the moving and changing and we as a venue are not able to charge the full hire. We are working at less than a breakeven figure just to keep the industry alive."
The easing has been put on hold as the Delta variant, originally found in India, is increasing 64% week on week, causing hospital rates to increase across the country as well.
Boris Johnson said that the spread of the Delta variant meant “we have obviously faced a very difficult choice”.
“We can simply keep going with all of Step 4 on June 21, even though there is a real possibility that the virus will outrun the vaccines and that thousands more deaths would ensue which could otherwise have been avoided.
“Or else we can give the NHS a few more crucial weeks to get those remaining jabs into the arms of those who need them.
“And since today I cannot say that that we have met all our four tests for proceeding with Step 4 on June 21, I think it is sensible to wait just a little longer.”
Beverly added: "Four weeks to get on top of our fantastic vaccination programme is something we're all prepared to do, but personally I feel now we just all have to move forward and learn to live with this new virus."
Here's what's happening to restrictions from the 21st June in England
Weddings
The 30 guest limit will be removed. There will be no numeric restriction on guests at weddings, however the capacity of venues will be limited by social distancing. There must be table service at the wedding and you won't be able to have a dancefloor inside the venue.
Funerals
The guest limit on funerals will be scrapped as well. At the moment only 30 mourners are allowed, but from the 21st July the cap will be lifted and as long as social distancing is followed, there will be no limit.
Care homes
Care home residents will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days after leaving for visits in most cases.
Theatres
Restrictions on going to the theatre will remain in place as they are now, so they can open but with with COVID-secure measures in place, including social distancing.
Pilot events such as Euro 2020 and some theatrical performances, will continue though, indicating some events will be allowed larger crowds than under the restrictions currently in place as part of the research programme.
Pubs and restaurants
Restrictions on pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants will remain as they are at the moment. Social distancing will have to be adhered to and there must be table service.
Nightclubs
Nightclubs will remain closed until at least 19th July
Home working
People are being asked to continue working from home where possible.
Our Westminster correspondent Georgine Prodromou was watching the announcement:
The four tests key to lifting lockdown
Part of the government's roadmap was always to delay the easing if we weren't passing these four key tests, which Boris Johnson said we're no longer meeting:
- The success of the vaccine rollout
- Evidence of vaccine efficacy
- An assessment of new variants
- Keeping infection rates below a level that could put unsustainable pressure on the NHS
Scientists have spent the weekend defending a delay to easing restrictions, saying that the rapid spread of the Delta variant first identified in India risks a substantial third wave of infection.
It's possible there will be a backlash from some MPs now parts of lockdown will carry on for a little longer.
Boris Johnson said he is “confident” that no more than four weeks will be needed and that restrictions will not go beyond July 19.
Vaccine rollout sped up
Delaying lockdown easing will give the NHS more time to deliver crucial Covid-19 jabs, Boris Johnson said as the timeline for Covid-19 vaccines was sped up.
The target of offering jabs to all adults by the end of July has been brought forward to July 19, with those over the age of 23 in England able to book their jab from tomorrow.
The delay will also mean that more people will be able to receive their second Covid-19 jab, with the Prime Minister announcing that all over 40s should have their second vaccine eight weeks after their first.
It is hoped that the delay for easing restrictions will mean that around two-thirds of adults will have been offered two doses of vaccine by July 19.