Self-isolation rules for weddings: Couples told they must cancel their big day if pinged by NHS Covid app

Couples will have to cancel their wedding and self-isolate if they are “pinged” by the NHS Covid-19 App, government officials have warned.

Thousands of people across the country are currently being told to self-isolate after being contacted via the Covid-19 app, in what has been dubbed as the ‘pingdemic’.

All restrictions on weddings in England were lifted on Monday (19 July), with social distancing laws and bans on large gatherings scrapped.

However, tens of thousands of people have recently been instructed to stay at home by the NHS Covid-19 App, which alerts anyone who has been within two metres of an infectious person for more than 15 minutes.

Although the app’s instructions are only advisory, unlike those who are contacted directly by NHS Test and Trace, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman recently said it was important to isolate when contacted by the app.

He said: “Yes we recognise that would be a difficult situation for anyone, but the app is carrying out an important function.

“One in three people contacted either by Test and Trace or the app go on to develop coronavirus.

“That demonstrates the importance of isolating people when asked to do so.”

‘That is a terribly, terribly difficult scenario’

When questioned about what a future bride or groom ought to do if they are "pinged” the night before their wedding, Vicky Atkins, the Home Office minister, told LBC, it would be a very difficult situation.

She said: "Oh gosh. The guidance is 'please, you must stay at home'. That is a terribly, terribly difficult scenario.”

However, some Tory MPs have urged the Prime Minister to change the rules and still allow weddings to go ahead.

Siobhan Baillie, MP for Stroud, said: "I think it’s madness a bride or groom would have to call off their big day and self-isolate if they are pinged by this inferno NHS app.

"Either we trust the vaccines to do their job or we don’t. This completely ridiculous no-man’s land is helping no-one and undermining the whole system because people are fed up with it.

"I would like to see the test and release date brought forward or made less sensitive. August 16 is simply too far away.

"Let’s get weddings back to the joyous event they are supposed to be, not a stress to see if the pingdemic will visit."