No sir, we can’t boogie: Wedding planners protest at dancing ban

industry workers have staged a protest against the current coronavirus restrictions with uncertainty lingering on ceremonies taking place amid changes of the levels.

Pauline Borris, of LBS Event Design & Wedding Planners, organised the protest yesterday outside the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh citing a lack of clarity in the rules.

A few dozen people attended wearing T-shirts and holding banners saying "No sir, we can't boogie" in a swipe at the Euro 2020 fan zone being held in Glasgow Green for thousands of attendees.

Ms Borris revealed some couples are putting off their nuptials by two years to 2023 due to the guidance which currently only allows up to 200 people to attend. No more than 200 people should attend a wedding in Level 0, according to the Scottish Government, with the figure at 100 for Level 1, 50 for Levels 2 and 3, and 20 for those in Level 4.

Most of Scotland's islands are in Level 0, with much of central Scotland in Level 2 and other areas in Level 1.

Ms Borris said: "The main aim is for us to be treated equally with the rest of the events industry and for clarity when you can have the fan zone happen in Glasgow Green for 6,000 people nontested - but you can't have weddings.”

The current guidance recognises a marriage ceremony as a public event meaning that even in Levwedding els 0, 1 and 2 there should be physical distancing. Ms Borris said: "Even when we go down the levels, we still don't have any answers because you still can't dance.

"Some places in Scotland just now are in Level 0 and the only difference to Level 3 is basicallyyoucanhave100atyourwedding or 200, but still have the same restrictions are in place.” A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We completely understand how devastating the pandemic has been on Scotland's wedding sector but we are at a critical point in suppressing the virus and everyone must play their part in stopping its spread.

"The Scottish Government is engaging on a regular basis with the wedding industry and will continue to do so.”