Wedding receptions for up to 15 people will be able to resume in England from Wednesday week – except in the highest of the three tiers of social restrictions under details published by the government. 

New guidance has also been issued on places of worship, which will be allowed to hold services when lockdown ends next week. 

In all three tiers, up to 15 people will be able to attend wedding ceremonies, 30 can be at funerals and 15 at commemorative events such as stone-settings. 

But wedding receptions can only be held in tiers one and two.

The government has not set a cap on attendance at places of worship as long as social distancing measures, such as wearing masks, are adhered to. 

In tier one, worshippers can socialise in groups of up to six people. But in tiers two or three, they may come only with members of their own household or someone in their support bubble. 

Rabbi Yehudah Osher Steiner, senior rabbi of the Manchester Beth Din, said, “We are delighted that the government has decided that places of worship can reopen and we are grateful to all those involved in reaching this decision."

The lack of daily services had been "extremely hard for us," he said.

“Communal prayer is our lifeline and is pivotal for our wellbeing, in which we not only pray on a personal level but also pray for our communities and the wellbeing of all society.

“Having to arrange our places of worship to adhere to Covid-safe guidelines has taken much expense and much organisation. Our local synagogues have made tremendous efforts to ensure that they are safe for prayer during the pandemic."

The United Synagogue's community director Jo Grose said, "We are yet to receive the exact details from government and as usual will not be able to issue guidance to our communities until we understand precisely what is permitted.

"We will be communicating with our shuls as usual to ensure they are able to plan accordingly, but this is good news and we look forward to re-opening again safely when the time is right."