The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Entry to Venues and Events) (England) Regulations 2021

Regulation 4(7)

SCHEDULE 2 Exempt events

1.—(1) An event which is—

(a) the solemnisation of a marriage, formation of a civil partnership or conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage in accordance with the Marriage Act 1949(1), the Marriage (Registrar General’s Licence) Act 1970(2), the Civil Partnership Act 2004(3) or the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013(4), or

(b) an alternative wedding ceremony,

is an exempt event in relation to category A, category B, category C and category D.

(2) For these purposes, an event is an “alternative wedding ceremony” if it is a ceremony, including a ceremony based on a person’s faith or belief or lack of belief, to mark the union of two people, other than a ceremony conducted for a purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a).

2.—(1) An event within sub-paragraph (2) is an exempt event—

(a) in relation to category A, provided that it is attended by fewer than 500 people, and

(b) in relation to categories B and C, provided that the responsible person in relation to the event is not a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body.

(2) The events referred to in sub-paragraph (1) are—

(a) a reception following the solemnisation of marriage or an alternative wedding ceremony;

(b) a reception following the formation of a civil partnership or the conversion of a civil partnership into a marriage, or

(c) a reception celebrating another significant life event.

(3) For these purposes, a “significant life event” is an event held to celebrate a person’s birth, coming of age or full membership of a religion.

3.  An event which is a funeral is an exempt event in relation to categories A, B, C and D.

4.  An event which is held to commemorate the life of a person who has died, is an exempt event in relation to categories A (except in relation to venues referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1), and categories B, C and D.

5.  An event held as part of communal worship is an exempt event in relation to categories A, B, C and D.

6.  An event which takes place in a private dwelling is an exempt event in relation to categories B, C and D unless—

(a) a charge is made for entry to that event, or

(b) the event is ticketed.

7.—(1) An event which takes place in a venue specified in sub-paragraph (2) is an exempt event in relation to categories B, C and D unless—

(a) a charge is made for entry to that event,

(b) the event is ticketed, or

(c) the venue, or one or more rooms within the venue, have been hired or reserved for the purpose of holding the event.

(2) The venues specified in this sub-paragraph are—

(a) restaurants, including restaurants and dining rooms in hotels or members’ clubs;

(b) cafes and canteens;

(c) bars, including bars in hotels or members’ clubs;

(d) public houses;

(e) social clubs and members’ clubs.

8.—(1) An event which—

(a) takes place outdoors in a public space,

(b) for which no charge is made, and no tickets are issued,

is an exempt event in relation to categories A, C and D.

(2) For these purposes, a public space is any place to which the public have, or are permitted, access.

(1)

1949 c. 76.

(2)

1970 c. 34.

(3)

2004 c. 33.

(4)

2013 c. 30.