South Africa is officially moving to Level 1 lockdown from midnight on Sunday, September 20. With this shift comes an easing of restrictions, which may benefit the wedding industry.

Under Level 2, weddings were allowed to continue but for no more than 50 people, and a host of health and safety measures must be adhered to.

In his televised address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the Level 1 has less strict regulations on gatherings. While the safety regulations will likely remain in place, couples may be able to increase their guest list. Instead of a blanket number of 50 people, social gatherings will now depend on the size of a venue.

“Social, religious, political and other gatherings will be permitted, as long as the number of people does not exceed 50% of the normal capacity of a venue, up to a maximum of 250 people for indoor gatherings and 500 people for outdoor gatherings,” Ramapshosa said in his speech.

“Health protocols, such as washing or sanitising of hands, social distancing and mask-wearing, will need to be strictly observed.”

Ramaphosa also announced that the country would begin a gradual reopening of international travel, subject to various containment and mitigation measures. This means that destination weddings are on the cards again.

Travel may be restricted to and from certain countries that have high infection rates. A list of countries will be published soon based on the latest scientific data.

Picture: Pexels

A couple in Maine, America hosted a small, rustic wedding celebration for 65 of their closest family and friends in early August. This event started a massive COVID-19 outbreak that, to date, has infected 176 people and contributed to the deaths of seven people who were not even in attendance.

In mid-August, the Maine Centre for Disease Control and Prevention opened an investigation into a COVID-19 outbreak associated with the wedding reception at Big Moose Inn in Millinocket on August 7. According to state officials, guests did not follow social distancing and mask guidelines. The event also violated an executive order that has limited indoor gatherings to 50 people.

At the time, a total of 24 individuals associated with the event tested positive for COVID-19. Of that total, Maine CDC had identified 18 individuals who attended the reception and 6 others who had close contact with reception attendees. All of the confirmed cases were Maine residents.

Speaking during a virtual press briefing, Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah stated that this number has since risen to 176 and resulted in seven deaths. Six of the deaths occurred at the Maplecrest Rehabilitation and Living Center in Madison, Maine.

“More generally, related to the Millinocket wedding events, I mentioned there have been 176 cases, and including now, the six individuals who have passed away at Maplecrest. A total of seven individuals, who have passed away with COVID-19, resulting from and related to the August 7 wedding in Millinocket.”

None of the six individuals from the rehabilitation centre had attended the wedding, although a staff member from the facility did.