We are all attempting to adjust to the world we are currently living in which is difficult for all concerned, but particularly difficult for separated parents with children living between two households. We have been told very clearly about social distancing, only travelling when absolutely necessary to buy essentials or back and forth from work (if you cant work from home). What hasn’t been made absolutely clear is what the rules are for those children that live in two households. Logic would allow one to presume that If you (a child) live between two households you wouldn’t be expected to have no direct contact your other parent or guardian, and that’s exactly the case.
The guidance from the government clarified that where parents do not live in the same household, children that are under 18, can travel between their parents homes. A link to the guidance is here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others
The exception to the stay at home rules for children with separated parents is a decision for the parents to make after assessing the circumstances, to include the health of the children and any other adults they are in contact with. It may be a difficult scenario where one parent has a concern about contact taking place and the risk of infection and the other doesn’t. The hope is that a sensible compromise can be reached and alternative arrangements made that are suitable to both parents. The key message given by the president of the Family Division, The Rt. Hon. Sir Andrew McFarlane, is that where Coronavirus restrictions cause the letter of a court order to be varied (if one is in place for child arrangements), the spirit of the order should nevertheless be delivered by making safe alternative arrangements for the children.
Parents therefore can, and should, exercise contact with their children if they are separated parents, but only if it is safe to do so, taking into account all of the circumstances.
