Clarity on child arrangements in light of the new “Stay at home” restrictions
24th March, 2020
During the evening of 23 March the Prime Minister issued strict new “Stay at Home” rules that people should only leave the house for one of 4 reasons:-
- Shopping for basic necessities;
- One form of exercise per day;
- Any medical need or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person;
- Travelling to and from work where it cannot be done from home.
These latest stay at home restrictions have caused much confusion for parents, children and legal practitioners who are trying to ensure that the interests and welfare of the children are maintained whilst ensuring that they are not in breach of the government’s restrictions.
Michael Gove has clarified this morning that children are allowed to travel in between separated parents’ homes. The latest advice has been published to confirm that “Any medical need or to provide care or help to a vulnerable person” will include moving children under 18 between their parents’ homes.
It seems that the Government are encouraging people to ensure that Court orders and parents’ own agreements are adhered to during the Coronavirus pandemic and that transporting children to and from contact will not allow parents to fall foul of the lock down restrictions.
Whilst the guidance has resolved some of the ambiguity, there remains an ever growing number of questions arising for parents and other care givers trying to ensure that their children are protected in these unchartered times.
Family practitioners are expecting an update today from the Family Law Bar Association for further guidance.
 |
Victoria SyvretFamily Senior Associate |
You might also be interested in...
Divorce in the age of Cryptocurrency
22nd September, 2020
Whatever your view of the financial risk, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are increasingly part of the make-up of matrimonial... Read More »
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme Changes
22nd September, 2020
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), a scheme put in place by the Government in response to the... Read More »
Employment Tribunal backlog and alternatives to litigation
22nd September, 2020
The Law Gazette has reported that the Employment Tribunals case backlog currently stands at 45,000 cases with more... Read More »