Authorities in Surrey are launching a drive to register thousands of babies born during the months of lockdown amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Surrey County Council (SCC) announced on Friday (July 3) that there were over 3,700 newborns currently unregistered in a countywide backlog after Covid-19 quarantine measures interrupted normal practice regarding birth certificates and registration procedures.

As the county council pointed out, a law passed recently allowed deaths to be registered over the phone, but birth registrations, marriage notices and ceremonies have not been able to take place since register offices closed in March due to impact of the virus.

“Registration services are reopening with residents able to book appointments from 6 July to register births and get married. Camberley and Reigate offices remain closed, but appointments can be made at Guildford, Leatherhead and Weybridge register offices,” SCC said in a statement released July 3.

“Although the 42-day time frame to register a birth was relaxed, the law still required births to be registered face to face,” SCC added.

“In order to keep everybody safe, if the child’s parents are married or in a civil partnership then only one parent should attend the appointment and children, or additional adults should not attend.”

Meanwhile, marriages and civil partnerships at registry offices in Surrey can now continue. Couples can apply to give notice, though at the ceremony itself only 30 guests maximum are allowed under current rules.