Government confirms Remembrance Sunday events can go ahead with social distancing

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said guidance would be given to councils but events would be allowed as long as social distancing was maintained.

There will still be a national service at the Cenotaph in London, which will be broadcast on TV.

It comes ahead of a second national lockdown which will run for four weeks from Thursday, November 5, to Wednesday, December 2.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Saturday night (October 31) to announce a new national lockdown, in response to continually rising levels of infection and hospitalisations from the virus all over the country.

The new national lockdown will see normal life grind to a halt, with just schools, universities and colleges remaining open, as well as workplaces where staff cannot work from home.

“We are certainly not cancelling Remembrance Sunday events but we must be mindful of the risks such events pose, especially to veterans who are often elderly,” the Downing Street spokesman said.

“What we are saying to local authorities in England is that they may organise remembrance services but they should be outside and social distance should be maintained.

“We will be updating the guidance shortly.”

The spokesman added: “It’s important that the country can continue to come together to remember the sacrifice of those who have died in the service of their country and we will ensure that Remembrance Sunday is appropriately commemorated while protecting public health.”

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