However, people attending to peal bells should be included in the risk assessment process and subsequent protocols for attendance at the event. The legal requirement is that all reasonable measures are taken to ensure a distance of 2 metres is kept between those attending. People from an area in lockdown are allowed to go to wedding ceremonies and funerals outside their area, but not wedding receptions or wakes. Yes, since 27 March people living in Wales can travel anywhere in the country. It has yet to be confirmed but, if all goes to plan, travel between England and Wales will be allowed from 12 April. In every country, you can only go to a funeral if you are invited. The number of people able to attend a funeral is limited by the capacity of the venue whilst ensuring the physical distancing requirements are applied. This includes attending a funeral but they are expected to self-isolate for the remainder of the specified 10-day period unless another exemption applies. Those handling the deceased should be aware that there is likely to be a continuing risk of infection from body fluids and tissues in cases where coronavirus infection has been identified or is suspected. They must stay at home for the period instructed by NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect (which will end 10 days after the point of most recent contact with the person who has tested positive), advise the funeral organiser and other mourners that you are in your self-isolation period, and ensure that you do not attend at the same time as another mourner who may be at. In so far as a crematorium or place of worship is concerned, the appropriate limit will depend on the size and layout of the building. Funeral services should continue, and funeral providers should consider how they can facilitate this. This should be taken into account alongside the advice provided in this document. Similarly those organising a funeral should be encouraged to open books of condolence and collections online, or to facilitate tributes to be paid by electronic communications or on social media. Arrangements should be put in place to ensure that upon arrival at a crematorium, place of worship or cemetery, those attending can be kept apart and are not required to congregate in confined spaces. It is advised that you use alternative instruments such as a piano, electronic instruments or recordings. Those attending should be advised not to touch, kiss or come into contact with the coffin. Therefore, anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell), or has been instructed by Wales NHS Test, Trace, Protect to self-isolate because they have tested positive for COVID-19, or they are the close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should not attend the funeral. People with a legal duty to self-isolate are: Even if you are the person arranging the funeral, a family member or close friend of the deceased, we strongly recommend that you attend remotely if possible, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread to other mourners. Only 15 mourners can attend a wake under the latest coronavirus rules.. Boris Johnson unveiled a new three-tier lockdown system, where areas across England will … Those closest to the deceased take consolation from friends and family attending the funeral of their loved one. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. Grounds surrounding a crematorium are also not required to close, this includes any burial grounds or gardens of remembrance which should remain open to visitors. Non-essential cookies are also used to tailor and improve services. Rather the coffin should be moved using wheeled biers and lifted as required by the funeral director. This should, however, only be a guide and a degree of flexibility can be exercised on the assumption that a significant proportion of those attending will be sitting together with members of their household (which could enable more people to attend). Specific provisions should be made where circumstances allow, such as separate entrances, and physical distancing measures between bell ringers and hand hygiene while pealing the bells and between them and the other attendees. Where a vehicle is used to provide a service of carriage for passengers, all reasonable measures must be taken to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus. The restrictions imposed on funerals may be upsetting to those close to the deceased at a very distressing time. Unfortunately this necessitates changes to traditional customs and practices at funerals in so far as this involves interaction between people from different households. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Different considerations apply to practising physical distancing in a cemetery, or burial ground or garden of remembrance in a crematorium, as the most important aspect will be limiting the extent to which members of different households congregate, most obviously around the grave. Funeral services cannot take place in private homes. A key aspect of the Welsh Government’s response to the public health emergency is to place restrictions on people gathering. This does not include between members of the same household, or a carer and the person assisted by the carer. Singing and playing music outdoors is permissible for an outdoor service, although as an organised activity it is subject to a risk assessment and the organiser must take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus. Provide information to people who enter or are working in the premises on how to minimise that risk. Home. provision of information to those entering or working at the premises about how to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus. Can I go to a funeral? The general rule for gatherings in public places is that they are limited to 4 people, not including children under 11. All mourners should practise careful hand and respiratory hygiene: Mourners who are extremely vulnerable (formerly shielding) should be facilitated to attend, with processes put in place to minimise the risk of transmission. Given the very significant risk for people at increased risk and extremely vulnerable people who come into contact with coronavirus (COVID-19), it is strongly advised that they have no contact with the body of the deceased. As from Friday, March 20, only 12 mourners, together with one officiator and one funeral director, are being permitted into the chapel at Parc Gwyn … We recognise the importance of music, singing and chanting in worship, religious and belief ceremonies. The same applies to … Some venues might not allow 30 people, if they don't have the space for them to safely social distance. Funerals can be a distressing experience, and the impact of coronavirus is making it even more difficult to make practical arrangements. However, if you live in the restricted areas the Regulations provide that you have a reasonable excuse to attend a funeral in Wales if you are the person responsible for arranging it, if you have been invited to attend by the person arranging it or if you are the carer of a person attending. Funerals with physical attendance of mourners should continue as long as those attending adhere to the Regulations as interpreted by this guidance, which sets out how the risk of transmission can be reduced. This means maintaining a distance of 2 metres wherever practical. You should also advise the funeral director, and venue manager in advance that you are in self-isolation as additional safeguards will need to be in place to facilitate your attendance. If you are the person responsible for arranging the funeral, and/or a close family member of the deceased, and you are in self-isolation we strongly recommend that you attend remotely. It is a legal offence for a person who is required to self-isolate to attend a funeral unless it is to attend the funeral of a family member or close friend. You can also travel from other parts of the UK to go to a funeral service in Scotland. ... Can I go to a wedding or a funeral? No one living in a tier 3 area of England, in a tier 3 or 4 area of Scotland or in Northern Ireland (referred to below as “restricted areas”), may enter or remain in Wales unless they have a reasonable excuse to do so. This has been done to control the spread of coronavirus in Wales and to help protect the public from the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The positioning of singers and instrumentalists to favour back to back or side to side and reduce face to face performance. According to Welsh rules, people living in Wales can holiday here but people from England or other parts of the UK cannot travel to Wales for holidays. This guidance has been prepared to help people at this very difficult time. From 12 April, an international travel declaration must be completed before leaving the United Kingdom. English; Cymraeg; His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, 10 June 1921 to 9 April 2021. Regulation 6 provides that attendance at a funeral as a mourner is limited to those responsible for arranging the funeral, those specifically invited by the organiser of the funeral, and the carer of anyone attending. In Wales, people are forbidden by law from going out to exercise more than once a day. In England, a maximum of 30 people can go to a funeral. you are the person organising the funeral, you have been invited to the funeral by the person responsible for arranging the funeral, or. Wales has long been a top choice as a staycation destination; in 2019 alone, the nation welcomed 87 million day trippers from the rest of the UK, generating almost £3.5m.. However, although members of the public may attend a funeral, they should be respectful of the fact that there are restrictions that have been imposed as a result of a public health emergency. Please note that in order to attend a funeral as a mourner a person must be the person arranging it, have been invited or be the carer of someone lawfully attending it. This advice is designed to assist people who are involved in arranging or attending a funeral related to a death from any cause during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. They should also ensure that handwashing facilities are available and clearly signposted. Guidance on the impact of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No.4) (Wales) Regulations 2020 on funerals. This includes temporary restrictions on gatherings of people in Wales. If a person is attending who would otherwise be self-isolating, it is essential that every measure is taken to ensure those who are at increased risk or who are extremely vulnerable are kept as far removed as possible from the person that would ordinarily be self-isolating. If you are self-isolating due to a possible case of coronavirus in your household, or as advised by Wales NHS Test, Trace, Protect, you should not attend, unless the deceased is a family member or close friend. GOV.WALES uses cookies which are essential for the site to work. It is possible for funerals to be broadcast online (if broadcasting requires a technician or someone to manage the filming that the number should be the absolute minimum and considered in the calculation of how many can attend), and those who wish to do this should be helped to do so. From Monday, people in Wales can visit anywhere in the UK, and vice-versa, if restrictions in those areas allow. 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