Gibraltar is keen to welcome visitors including couples planning to get married and has put the requisite contingency measures in place to do so safely.

Gibraltar is exempted from the list of countries the UK advises against non-essential travel to and Gibraltar has moved to lift many of the restrictions on recreation, freedom of movement and association it had implemented early on in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Gibraltar Tourist Board is now working with bloggers and other media to promote tourism to the country in the coming months, and EasyJet again began flying to the country from the UK towards the end of July.

At the same time, there is a heavy emphasis on ensuring safety with employees in restaurants, shops, hair and beauty salons and public transport being mandatorily required to wear masks when interacting with the public. Physical distancing and regular sanitising have also been implemented at the airport terminal.

The government has provided mobile testing stations in public spaces so that persons who fear they may have contracted the illness can readily determine their health status.

As such, couples planning to get married can confidently book their wedding date with the Registry Office, with the understanding that they will use good judgment and observe the hygiene protocols such as washing their hands regularly and practicing social distancing wherever possible.

But there are some things you need to keep in mind when planning your wedding in Gibraltar..

1. Weddings at the Registry Office will accommodate only the couple getting married and two witnesses.

2. Social gatherings at venues for receptions and other events may be considerably limited with regards to the number permitted to attend.

3. Special provision is made at the airport for elderly people and those with health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable, by means of a specially designated search area so that they do not have to mingle with the general arrivals.

4. Gibraltar is not allowing cruise ship passenger arrivals for the time being, so it will not be possible to plan for a honeymoon cruise directly from that country.

5. Persons arriving on yachts or other pleasure craft will not be allowed to come ashore until authorities have cleared the vessel. Health checks will be administered.

6. Visitors, including those with disabilities, can enjoy the beaches since Gibraltar has worked to ensure that many of the beaches are physically accessible to all while ensuring social distancing measures are in place.

So rest assured, if you do decide to make it to Gibraltar this year for your wedding or honeymoon, that adequate provisions have been put in place to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable stay, despite the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more about the attractions that await you when you visit Gibraltar by checking out this booklet on the Tourist Board’s website, available in more than a dozen languages. https://www.visitgibraltar.gi/attractions-booklets

Jewel Fraser 7 August 2020