Weddings could be restricted to five people amid coronavirus outbreak

Church weddings held during the coronavirus outbreak should be limited to five people per ceremony, the Church of England has said.

Adopting the measure would mean only a priest, the bride and groom and two witnesses are allowed to attend Church marriage ceremonies.

"Apart from the couple themselves, everyone else should observe a social distance as far as possible," the church said in a statement.

"The guidance makes clear that traditions such as the priest touching the rings or the couple’s hands as part of a prayer or blessing are not required."

The statement on Thursday came after NHS England said a further 29 patients in England have died after testing positive for Covid-19, bringing the overall UK death toll to 137.

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