Legislation – The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 24) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020

“Restrictions on gatherings: private dwellings6.

(1)

In the period ending at 12.01a.m on 2 January 2021, a person shall not, between the hours of 8.00p.m and 6.00a.m, operate or participate in an outdoor or indoor gathering at a private dwelling which consists of persons from more than one household, except in the event of emergency or for the purpose of the provision of health or care services.

(2)

Subject to paragraphs (4) to (10) a person shall not participate in an outdoor gathering in a private dwelling which consists of more than six persons (not including children aged 12 or under) and which consists of persons from more than two households.

(3)

Subject to paragraphs (4) to (10), a person shall not participate in an indoor gathering in a private dwelling which consists of persons from more than one household.

(4)

A gathering referred to in regulation 5A (a gathering of 30 or more persons in public or private with or without amplified music) falls to be dealt with under that regulation, and not this regulation, despite the fact that such a gathering may otherwise fall within this regulation.

(5)

Paragraph (3) is modified in its application to a gathering in a private dwelling which is occupied by one household (”A”) in any case where household A consists of more than six persons. In such a case, an indoor gathering of persons which consists of more than six persons from household A does not contravene the restriction in paragraph (3), subject to the condition that no person from any other household participates in that gathering.

(6)

In the period commencing at 12.01a.m on 23 December 2020 and ending at 11.59p.m on 27 December 2020 paragraphs (2) and (3) shall not apply to a gathering on one day only which is a Christmas linked household provided that if the gathering is outdoors it consists of no more than six persons.

(7)

Paragraphs (1) to (3) do not apply where the gathering is for the purpose of—

(a)

the provision of care or assistance, including social services, to a vulnerable person;

(b)

childcare provided by a person registered in accordance with the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 or any childcare provided free of charge;

(c)

building or maintenance works or the provision of the services of any trade or profession at the private dwelling;

(d)

giving or receiving legal advice or assistance or fulfilling a legal obligation;

(e)

to move house and to undertake associated activities for that purpose, including viewing properties and making arrangements for removals;

(f)

the provision of emergency or medical assistance to any person; or

(g)

the removal of the remains of a deceased person to the private dwelling.

(8)

Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where all the persons in the gathering are members of two households which are linked households in relation to each other and the gathering consists of no more than ten persons.

(9)

(a)

Paragraph (3) does not apply where the gathering is for the purpose of a marriage or a civil partnership where a party to the marriage or civil partnership is seriously ill and death in consequence of that illness can reasonably be expected within six months of the date of the ceremony;

(b)

in a case referred to in subparagraph 9(a) an indoor gathering in a private dwelling may consist of up to ten persons including the participants and officiant.

(10)

(a)

Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where the gathering is for the purpose of a funeral or an event associated with a funeral;

(b)

in a case referred to in subparagraph 10(a) a person attending, or a person responsible for organising or operating, the funeral or event associated with a funeral shall comply with the guidance on funerals issued by the Department of Health;

(c)

Regulation 8 (offences and penalties) does not apply to a contravention of the requirement in subparagraph (10)(b).”