The South African government has gazetted new directives to help regulate gatherings amid the shift to Level 2. The new directives include changes to how weddings may continue during the pandemic.

According to the new directives, released August 25, there are a host of safety regulations that vendors must follow as the wedding industry reopens. As such, the onus is largely on wedding planners and vendors to make sure guests follow protocol.

Weddings are still limited to 50 people, and all hygienic conditions and physical distancing measures must be adhered to for the limitation of exposure to COVID-19.

The person organising the wedding, exhibition or function and the owner or manager of the venue must ensure compliance with the requirement relating to physical distancing of at least one and a half metres and the wearing of a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth, by all attendees.

A person managing a venue for a wedding, exhibition or other function must:

– set up screening stations at entrances to facilitate the screening of persons before entry

– not allow access to a person who is not wearing a cloth mask, or homemade item that covers the nose and mouth or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth

– ensure that every person wears a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth at all times except when eating or drinking

– ensure that every person sanitises before entry

– sanitise microphones and podiums after use by every person.

Read the new gazette here: Tourism-Gazette-weddings-events

Feature image: Unsplash