Legislation – The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

“Restrictions on gatherings: private dwellings6.

(1)

Subject to paragraphs (2) to (5) a person shall not participate in an indoor or outdoor gathering in a private dwelling which consists of persons from—

(a)

more than one household, or

(b)

more than one household and its linked household, provided that such a gathering does not consist of more than 10 persons.

(2)

Paragraph (1) does 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.

(3)

(a)

Paragraph (1) does not apply to an indoor gathering for the purpose of a marriage or a civil partnership ceremony 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 sub-paragraph (a) an indoor gathering in a private dwelling may consist of up to ten persons including the participants and officiant.

(4)

(a)

Paragraph (1) does 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 sub-paragraph (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 sub-paragraph (b).

(5)

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.”.