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August 2023
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So in the UK we have had for a time a rule of 6 and you could have 15 people at a wedding. However people have been blatantly breaking this rule on many occasions. Some others have be very creative with solutions as to keep others safe and also not breaking the law.
Indian families are well know for their lavish and large weddings and with the Indian wedding season just starting will the situation get worse? typical the Indian wedding season takes place from October to December. There are different months of the year for the wedding season dependant on what part of Indian you live or come from. Weddings And Covid 19 A wedding that took place in mid-June, and was attended by more than 300 guests in the city of Patna, in the northeastern state of Bihar, according to relatives who were there. The groom himself fell ill at the wedding and apparently was unwell even before the marriage. However his parents insisted that he attended the wedding. It turns out that he was unwell due to having the Coronavirus himself. It was later discovered that over 100 of the guests also contracted covid 19. This sparked a major investigation from the Indian authorities as conflicting stories as some family members insist he wasn’t unwell before the event. court attendance during covid Drive In Wedding A couple got around Covid-19 restrictions by staging a "drive-in wedding" in front of about 250 guests. Roma Popat and Vinal Patel tied the knot at Braxted Park, near Witham, Essex, as people watched the ceremony from their cars on big screens outside. The 30-year-old newlyweds then waved at friends and family during a golf buggy tour of the grounds. Guests were given hampers of snacks and hand gel, and could use a website to order food, delivered by waiters. (source) Breaking The Law UK Weddings Two men have been reported for consideration of a fine after hosting a wedding party in a restaurant in west London with approximately 100 guests. At 19:07hrs on Sunday, 1 November, officers were called to the Chaudhry’s TKC venue in Southall, following a report of a large wedding inside. After arriving on scene, one of the event organisers attempted to convince officers that there was only a wedding party of 15 people. However, behind a curtained off rear room, officers discovered a large reception gathering of approximately 100 attendees celebrating a wedding. Officers explained to the organisers that the gathering was in clear breach of the Coronavirus regulations. Under the regulations wedding ceremonies and sit-down receptions are only permitted to have 15 attendees. The event was shut down. Chief Superintendent Peter Gardner, BCU Commander for the West Area, said: “We are still in a national pandemic and infection rates are steadily rising - restrictions around weddings have been put in place to save lives. “Coronavirus remains a real and deadly threat and more officers will be deployed in every borough to help keep people safe. They will patrol public spaces and will respond swiftly to incidents where groups gather in large numbers. “It is very clear that the police cannot control the spread of the virus through enforcement alone, and we need Londoners to work with us. Therefore, please continue to act responsibly. Maintain social distancing, respect the new regulations and guidance, and help keep yourself, your friends and family safe.” (source) Wedding Venue Owner Fined £10,000 The owner of an event venue in west London has been reported for consideration of a £10,000 fixed penalty notice, after they allowed a wedding reception to go ahead that attracted more than 100 people. Officers from the Met Police were called to the Tudor Rose in Southall shortly after 6.30pm on Tuesday, 13 October. After arriving on scene, it was clear to officers that a high number of people had crowded into the venue to celebrate a wedding. This was in clear breach of the regulations, which have been put in place by the Government to protect people from Coronavirus. As officers walked through the venue, they saw no clear evidence that guests were maintaining social distancing, nor were guests taking any reasonable steps to protect others and prevent transmitting the virus. Under current regulations, weddings are permitted, however, guest numbers are limited to 15 persons. Likewise, the venue must adhere to strict COVID Secure guidelines in order to keep people safe. In clear breach of these regulations, officers dispersed a large number of the guests to ensure numbers complied with the law. After considering the risk, senior officers decided to report the owner of the venue for consideration of a £10,000 fixed penalty notice. BCU Commander, Chief Superintendent Peter Gardner, said: “This was a dangerous and foolish breach of the regulations, which have been designed specifically to keep people safe from transmitting a deadly virus. Restrictions on large gatherings, such as weddings, have been in place for months and quite frankly there can be no excuse for this flagrant violation of the law. “There was clearly no attempt by the venue owner to enforce the regulations or keep their patrons safe – it is for this reason we have reported them for a £10,000 fine. “Everyone has a responsibility to keep themselves, and their families, safe from Coronavirus. As cases of Coronavirus rise across London, officers throughout the Met will be redoubling our efforts to clamp down on those individuals and businesses who breach the regulations and put themselves, and others at risk.” (source) Old Kent Road Wedding Shut Down Over 250 Guests A wedding, attended by an estimated 250 guests, in flagrant breach of COVID regulations, was shut down by police. Officers were first called to the venue on Old Kent Road at 20:20hrs on Sunday, 18 October, after concerned residents suspected the address was being burgled. It appeared that those attending the ceremony had closed the shutters at the front of the venue, in an attempt to mask the celebration. At the scene, police dispersed the crowds. Two people at the event were advised that they had been reported for consideration of a fixed penalty notice. The reports will be considered by a dedicated crime team who will assess the breach in line with the legislation. Detective Superintendent Nicky Arrowsmith, said: “This event was a blatant breach of the regulations and could have been a breeding ground for transmitting the virus. There were over 200 people inside, no social distancing and indeed no attempts to make the venue COVID secure, in line with the Government guidelines. “The guidelines are there for a reason, to keep people safe. “Being reported for a fine is clearly not a wedding present people would be expecting, however as this was such a flagrant breach of the regulations, it was entirely necessary. “Officers across the Met will continue our efforts to keep London safe by shutting down those events which deliberately and dangerously put people’s health at risk. “If you are planning a wedding this weekend please make sure it falls within the current regulations.” (source) What happens if you can't attend court due to illness ? Comments are closed.
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