National lockdown – Tuesday 5 January 2021
The Government has announced a national lockdown which brings a number of new restrictions, in effect from Tuesday 5 January 2021. The message is that people must stay at home, except for a variety of permitted reasons. A full list of reasons can be found on the Government’s website here.
Funerals at St Andrew’s Cemetery, Hexham
Funerals can still take place. The Government’s guidance states:
Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies and funerals are allowed with strict limits on attendance, and must only take place in COVID-19 secure venues or in public outdoor spaces unless in exceptional circumstances.
Funerals can be attended by a maximum of 30 people. Linked religious, belief-based or commemorative events, such as stone settings and ash scatterings can also continue with up to 6 people in attendance. Anyone working is not counted in these limits. Social distancing should be maintained between people who do not live together or share a support bubble.
At St Andrew’s Cemetery, Cemetery staff will continue to provide the burial service but the Chapel is closed, so only graveside services may be held.