[F1Restrictions on gatheringsN.I.

5.—(1) This Regulation does not apply to a gathering at a private dwelling or to a sporting event.

(2) A gathering referred to in regulation 5A (a gathering of 30 or more persons in public or private with or without amplified music) falls to be dealt with under that regulation, and not this regulation, despite the fact that such a gathering may otherwise fall within this regulation.

(3) In the period ending at 12.01a.m on 2 January 2021, a person shall not operate or participate in an outdoor or indoor gathering between the hours of 8.00p.m and 6.00a.m, except for the purpose of exercise in a gathering which consists of members of only one household.

(4) Subject to paragraph (3), a person shall not organise, operate or participate in an outdoor or indoor gathering which consists of more than fifteen persons.

(5) Paragraph (4) shall not apply to a gathering which is-

(a)(in a place of worship) a wedding, civil partnership ceremony, funeral or act of worship,

(b)(in any venue) a wedding or civil partnership ceremony (not including a reception),

(c)educational activity not in a school or institute of higher or further education, provided that it may not be delivered by distance learning and face to face delivery is essential,

(d)a gathering in a workplace, when it is not reasonably practicable for the duties of any person participating in the gathering to be carried out at that person’s private dwelling,

(e)educational activity in a school or institute of higher or further education, or

(f)a blood donation session or a vaccination session, and which fulfils the conditions in paragraph (6).

(6) The conditions referred to in paragraph (5) are that the person responsible for organising or operating the gathering—

(a)has carried out a risk assessment which meets the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, whether or not that person is subject to those Regulations;

(b)takes all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus, including implementing the preventive and protective measures identified in the risk assessment undertaken in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) and complying with any relevant guidance issued by a Northern Ireland Department; and

(c)(in respect of a wedding, civil partnership ceremony or funeral), ensures that the number attending is no more than 25 persons including children and the celebrant, and complies with the duty in Regulation 4A (Visitor information).

(7) A person responsible for organising or operating a gathering referred to in paragraph (5) must, if requested to do so by a relevant person, provide to that relevant person a copy of the risk assessment referred to in subparagraph (6)(a) and an account of the measures referred to in subparagraph (6)(b) as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within twenty-four hours of the request.

(8) Paragraph (4) shall not apply to a gathering which arises for the purpose of enabling any person to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm, or to provide emergency or medical assistance to any person.

(9) 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.

(10) Regulation 8 (offences and penalties) does not apply to a contravention of the requirement in paragraph (9).

(11) In the period commencing at 12.01a.m on 23 December 2020 and ending at 11.59p.m on 27 December 2020 paragraph (4) shall not apply to a gathering on one day only which is a Christmas linked household.

(12) A person (other than a person leading a service) entering or leaving a place of worship, or being within a place of worship, must, unless there is a reasonable excuse, wear a face covering while doing so.

(13) Paragraph (12) shall not apply to a couple at a ceremony to solemnise their marriage or to form their civil partnership.]

Textual Amendments