Large gatherings

I think we need guidance on large gatherings and what you mean by the word “mass”. If these are unlikely to be allowed by the end of the year then can you please confirm that so people who have weddings etc booked rearrange in plenty of time.

Why the contribution is important

Matters are stressful enough without having to wait to find out if certain events are likely. People need clarity in these matters.

by ashleykcflanagan on May 05, 2020 at 01:19PM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.4
Based on: 15 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Buddie1877 May 05, 2020 at 13:28

    I agree. Weddings obviously are a big issue and we need guidance.

  • Posted by Ranger2dog May 05, 2020 at 13:31

    Not a good idea until after a possible second peak has passed

  • Posted by emartinedinburgh May 05, 2020 at 13:32

    I think large gatherings such as sports matches should remain prohibited. It is not worth rising lives for a game of football.

  • Posted by Clayton41 May 05, 2020 at 13:32

    NO large gatherings

  • Posted by LMC123 May 05, 2020 at 13:58

    It would be good to get guidance ASAP on likely scenarios for weddings going forward. It’s very hard to plan, even for next year.

  • Posted by lisamcravey May 05, 2020 at 14:00

    I agree large gatherings should remain prohibited, but there needs to be a minimum timescale for this set out by the government, which makes clear this is not going to change in a 3 week review period.

    Currently, many wedding venues and insurance companies are not allowing couples outwith the current lockdown period to reschedule without declaring this as their own voluntary choice, rather than as a result of forced closure from COVID19, and therefore suffering the financial consequences of voluntarily cancelling their weddings.

    If we are realistically saying no large gatherings of 100+ people until at least October, or for the remainder of the year, etc, then a more reflective review period should be specified by the government to allow couples to plan and reschedule, and to allow fair discussions on rescheduling / cancellation costs.

    We obviously don't know when large gatherings might become appropriate again, but we know it's not going to be in 3 weeks. So saying, for example, the regulations on large gatherings will be reviewed again in October, but won't change before that, would be a big help in terms of clarity for both couples, venues, and other people with an interest in large gatherings.

    At the moment, couples trying to be sensible by rearranging large summer weddings are being penalised for 'voluntarily' cancelling or rescheduling, as venues obviously want to 'wait and see' what might be possible based on government guidelines for the following 3 weeks.

    When it's clear large gatherings aren't going to happen for some time, the official line of 3 weekly reviews is really unhelpful.

  • Posted by Ann May 05, 2020 at 15:03

    I think we need to know when/ if family gatherings can take place so we can cancel plans if necessary . I have a party planned for my mums 90th birthday at end of June for around 50 family members . I am assuming this will not be allowed and I will need to cancel it but some clearer guidance would be appreciated.

  • Posted by TiMoMac May 05, 2020 at 15:28

    Weddings and other social gatherings take a massive amount of planning and involve large supply chains providing employment to many from cake makers, florists, hotels, churches, registrars, dressmakers, retail industry, gift suppliers, holiday industry, chefs, to musicians in the band. At the moment people who have had weddings booked are not merely distraught but they have absolutely nothing to go on. To say, as they have in Ireland that weddings and larger gathering will not be allowed until there is a vaccine will wipe out a vast number of businesses reliant on this work. More important than that is a question of what kind of Scotland we want to live in? One where we can tackle big problems head on, or one where we run away, lock our doors and clipe on our neighbours. I know which one I choose but sadly we're not currently getting that kind of direction from Government.

  • Posted by Kimi May 05, 2020 at 15:49

    100% agree, people still have weddings scheduled for the second half of the year and need to know what the rules are going to be so they have time to rearrange of necessary.

    Can't just continue to hope things will go ahead with government confirmation.

  • Posted by M19 May 05, 2020 at 16:58

    Totally agree. No-one wants to put friends and family at risk. We just need information on how long large gatherings will be cancelled for so we can make re-schedule plans accordingly.

  • Posted by kathrynemma5 May 06, 2020 at 16:32

    I agree completely. We already postponed our wedding from May to September which has been difficult mentally and the thought of having to postpone again is heartbreaking. I think the government needs to address this issue by setting out guidance on what constitutes a large gathering and when it expects these will be able to take place again. People have planned and saved for years and put all of their energy into their special days. Of course people's health and safety needs to take precedence but, while we cannot control the virus and could not have predicted it, the government should be able to say by now when they expect weddings and larger social gatherings to be able to take place realistically, even if they don't think it will be this year. The not knowing is causing more anxiety at an already anxious time.

  • Posted by WBRnotes May 08, 2020 at 20:15

    Maybe it would help to ban large gatherings for the foreseeable future?

  • Posted by Jillb May 10, 2020 at 22:05

    Large gatherings can be in many forms and a broad brush ruling would disadvantage a lot of activities or events that could take place safely in the coming months.
    For example a wedding with the ceremony only and up to 100 guests spaced out could be ok, but the usual social 'bash' would not be acceptable.
    An indoor sporting gathering would be difficult due to the limited space but could be limited to participants and officials only. Cleaning protocols set out for changing rooms, equipment.
    Outdoor sporting gatherings or events could be controlled and the number of visitors set by the size of the outdoor space.
    This could allow community events like highland games to take place later in the summer, something to look forward to for participants and smaller local communities where these events are so important.
    The commenter above mentioning 'foreseeable future', this is exactly the problem at the moment when trying to plan a business and the resumption of recreation, tourism, hospitality, sport. If dates were set out - like Ireland have done - it would give everyone something to work with. I think the caveat 'Subject to change' would be entirely acceptable, if for example there was a second peak. Or indeed if the stats are better than predicted the dates could come forward.
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