Prime Minister Hun Sen on November 12 announced the lifting of a recent 200-person cap on wedding guests, but cautioned that receptions must respect social distancing norms and abide by Ministry of Health guidelines.

In an audio message to the nation, the prime minister said: “If we sit just seven people at one table, the organiser can invite as many guests as they want if they have a wide enough space for it.

“They can invite up to 500, 700, or even 1,000, but they have to ensure that physical distance is maintained at each table,” he said, quipping that organisers, cooks and related workers do not count as guests.

“Also, invitations to wedding receptions should be for those who have been vaccinated with both doses.

“On the other hand, if an individual missed a dose due to a health problem, as recommended by a doctor, then it’d be okay to let them attend.

“But those who [intentionally] avoid the jab should not be invited to weddings because they could be agents of Covid-19 transmission,” Hun Sen said.

The prime minister made it clear that there would be no capacity limit on any religious event, but called on participants to keep a physical distance of 1.5m. However, authorities must confirm the vaccination status of attendees, he stressed.

The removal of the cap on wedding guests is joyful tidings for brides, grooms and everyone else involved, Hun Sen said in jest.

Speaking during a visit to Kampong Thom Referral Hospital on November 11, health ministry spokeswoman Or Vandine underlined that the organisation of wedding receptions has to be flexible.

“Personal distance must be practiced. Whereas historically 10 people would sit at one table, that number should be limited to just five or six, and the amount of food served can be reduced according to the number of people present, and the number of tables increased,” she said.