Welsh government to change law to allow hotels to host weddings

Hotels in Wales will be allowed to reopen for wedding ceremonies from 1 March following a decline in coronavirus cases across the country, first minister Mark Drakeford has said.

He outlined the plans as part of a scheduled three-week review of restrictions by the Welsh government.

Speaking at a briefing today, Drakeford said the law will change next week to allow licensed wedding venues, such as visitor attractions and hotels, to reopen, but only for the purpose of performing weddings or civil partnerships.

However, he gave no indication as to whether there would be a limit on the number of guests or if receptions would be allowed.

Drakeford said the government's ‘stay at home' message could be lifted in March, but it was unlikely that the wider hospitality sector would be able to reopen within the next six weeks.

He has met with tourism and hospitality representatives to discuss whether self-contained accommodation, such as hotels with room service or bed and breakfasts, could be the first to open.

Drakeford said: "The [hospitality] industry was clear what they didn't want was to be left in the dark. That's why I was clear with them: the next six weeks our priority will be children and education, whether it's possible to open some non-essential retail, whether it's possible to have a modest reopening of tourism. Hospitality, if we can accomplish that successfully, their turn will come as well."

Elsewhere in the UK, restrictions in Northern Ireland have been extended until 1 April, with a blueprint for recovery due to be published on 1 March.

Measures in Scotland are remaining in place until at least the end of the month, with the youngest pupils returning to face-to-face teaching from 22 February.

Boris Johnson will set out a reopening roadmap for England on Monday (22 February).

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