Wakes to be banned in tier 3 hospitality venues in England

Government U-turn creates set of Covid rules stricter than during November lockdown

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People mourning the death of a loved one in England will not be able to hold a wake in a hospitality venue if they are in a tier 3 area, the government has said.

Guidance published on Monday initially said that for all three tiers wakes for up to 15 people were permitted in Covid-secure venues or outdoors but not in private dwellings. However, on Tuesday the government changed that stance.