Debated in Parliament on 5 Oct 2020.
Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Health in light of the recent relaxations on meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibition (MICE) events allowing for gatherings of up to 250 people, whether there is a specific timeline that the Ministry is considering for key life events, in particular weddings.
Since 3 October 2020, we have increased the cap for marriage solemnisations to 100 persons, and allowed wedding receptions to increase up to the same cap. Organisers and venue operators are required to put in place the necessary safe management measures, including having no more than 50 persons in each zone or time slot. From next month, we will also be launching a pilot for wedding receptions to be held in common areas of Housing Development Board estates.
The risk of transmission at weddings is high because of the tendency of attendees to socialise while celebrating a joyous occasion together with relatives and close friends. Attendees are also likely to be unmasked as they enjoy the meal and/or take photos together, further increasing the risk of transmission. We are therefore taking a cautious approach to the expansion of caps for weddings and other similar social gatherings, and will continue to monitor the situation before considering further expansion in attendee caps.
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