New York allows online lockdown weddings

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has decided that people can still get married in New York despite the city being under lockdown. Governor Cuomo has signed a special executive order permitting people to get married online. All wedding ceremonies had been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but special measures have been introduced to allow couples to tie the knot. The procedure for weddings under lockdown now entails applying for a marriage license online and having clerks conducting the ceremony virtually. Mr Cuomo said the new online weddings would be legally binding. A city official said: "The executive order will temporarily suspend a provision of law that requires in-person visits."

The new executive order means couples can get wed via video conferencing. This was previously not recognised as a legal way of getting married. Mr Cuomo joked to reporters that: "There is now no excuse when the question comes up for marriage. You can do it by Zoom." Mr Cuomo did not say whether Zoom was the only tele-conferencing platform that people could use on their happy day. The platform does allow guests to attend online. Stay-at-home measures have been extended in New York until at least the 15th of May. It could be months after that before social distancing measures are lifted. This means gatherings for events such as weddings may continue to be held online.