New measures linked to the coronavirus: the wedding sector feels forgotten

“As usual, we are the big forgotten”, said the president of the Belgian Federation of Marriage Providers, Alexandre Hames, after Thursday’s National Security Council. If the receptions organized after a funeral can accommodate up to 50 people in compliance with the rules in force in the hospitality industry, the CNS has not relaxed the measures for weddings. “We are still stuck with 10 people, without being able to offer meals, while the catering industry is running with crowded terraces“, denounces Alexandre Hames. Authorizing weddings by limiting them to 10 people amounts for him to impose the closure. “If the government leaves us open, it is so as not to have to pay us aid. It is hypocrisy”, he says, noting that the sector has experienced 95% cancellations this year. “We estimate that a third of the industry will be bankrupt next year. “

As a reminder, by announcing to expand the number of people who can attend receptions organized after funerals, the Prime Minister also mentioned her wish to do the same for other types of ceremonies: “We wish, at the next National Security Council, to also relax these rules for receptions in general “, she indicated. Not enough to appease the wedding sector, which feels pushed aside.“We are discovering our fate at the CNS, without being in a constructive dialogue like other sectors are. Our requests never succeed”, complains the founder of the federation. The federation asks to open a dialogue with the authorities on the protocols to be adopted.

“Our sector has large rooms that are perfectly adapted. We have clear protocols that allow physical distancing “, he defends. Room rental companies and “wedding planners” could enforce security measures, he suggests.

“The tables can be spaced and grouped in bubbles. We could even consider doing serological tests at the entrance.”, he adds. The Belgian Federation of Marriage Providers was founded during the Covid-19 crisis and brings together 500 providers so far.

–