Self isolation and co parenting help!

[coronaconfused20]

I tested positive for COVID about 3 weeks ago. Felt fine, loss of smell and taste was the only symptom. We (myself, partner and 2 kids) self-isolated for 14 days and the kids returned to school last week and my OH returned to work. I WFH so no issue with my work

The kids have been with their Dad over the weekend and returned to me yesterday afternoon (we are separated) and he's now rung me to say he's tested positive so the kids now have to isolate again for 14 days.
I have done some reading online but there's so much information it gets confusing. Does anyone know:

• Do I have to isolate as well? - Does my partner?
• Can the kids still go between homes? Everything online seems to suggest they can and their Dad is saying he wants to maintain his regular contact times with them. Help please, can anyone advise??

Bump

Yes, only the children have to self isolate unless you had contact with him for 15 minutes and under 2 metres apart. I’m sure they have to stay in one place for the whole 14 days, as the idea is they don’t leave where they are. I think it’s up to you both to decide where they will do the 14 days.

Everything online says they can still move between homes?

This should help, from the leading UK/internationally respected children's law organisation linked to Coram Fields:

childlawadvice.org.uk/coronavirus-separated-families-and-contact/

Also, when did he test or start having symptoms? Sounds like he shouldn't actually have returned them to you yesterday, or at the very least should have told you he was testing.

Either way, you wouldn't have to isolate unless you've actually made a bubble with his household.

The NHS advice is not clear enough, I agree. ChildLaw have however spotted that child contact is NOT listed as one of the few exemptions to the 'isolate' law.

I'm not sure when his symptoms began but either way they're here now although yes he probably should have informed me he was going for a test! He didn't have any of the listed symptoms, just felt a bit under the weather, but he has a vulnerable father so went to get a test to be on the safe side. I think he genuinely thought it would come back negative hence not telling me until now
I'm not really bothered about catching it again or anything, I just don't want to break any rules regarding the children

As a single parent I did read something saying that both I and my ex were allowed a bubble and children able to go between as normal but that if there was a case in one or other of our bubbles both bubbles would have to isolate, therefore, essentially treating us as one big bubble.

Yes the children have to remain in one home and can't carry on moving between two homes during the isolation period - the child law website explains it all well.

You and your DP don't have to isolate this time though.

Found it and it is in the govt guidance not a newspaper:

"If you share custody of your child with someone you do not live with

If you’re a single-adult household, you can form a support bubble with another household other than the one that includes your child’s other parent.

If you’re not a single adult household, you can form a support bubble with a single-adult household other than the one that includes your child’s other parent"

Sorry quoted the wrong bit....

Here is the right bit

someone in your support bubble develops coronavirus symptoms or tests positive

If anyone in your support bubbledevelops symptomsor tests positive for coronavirus, follow thestay at home guidance.

If you share custody of your child, and you and your child’s other parent are in separate bubbles, members of both bubbles should stay at home if someone develops symptoms.

This is critical to controlling the virus, as it will help to stop it spreading across multiple households.

Ok, I think I'm just going to keep them here then as it does sound like that's the best thing? He'll probably stomp his feet a bit but tough!
We usually share 50/50 custody so technically the kids are members of 2 'households'
It's an absolute minefield when you start googling!

@Bedraggledmumoftwo can you link to where you're quoting from please? I'm not sure I understand the text you quote. Which households are meant by "both households" - or does it mean if you've bubbles with your ex's household?

I'm quoting from the leading family law experts, not a newspaper (unless you're not referring to me?)

www.gov.uk/guidance/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household

Yes it says that both bubbles have to isolate so mother and her household and/or bubble and also father and his household and/or bubble

So with shared custody the kids are allowed to go back and forth and you are allowed to have your own bubbles if you are single, you arent stuck with your ex but at the same time in recognition of the kids going back and forth between two households it is essentially treating them as one if there is a positive case within one of them.

i'm quoting from the leading family law experts, not a newspaper (unless you're not referring to me?)

Sorry, no I wasnt referring to you- when I first said I had read something I assumed it had been in a newspaper and therefore interpretation, but when I found it it was in the official guidance.

Oh thanks @Bedraggledmumoftwo I hadn't noticed that bit. Wow. Am guessing there's a lot of separated families with various bubbles that won't do that/haven't thought about that when forming a bubble/ won't readily do that without arguments....

I'd be tempted to follow the 48 hr rule for close contacts, ie no need for (eg) Dad and his bubble to isolate if he hasn't had contact with child within 48 hours of the test/symptoms. In fact that's what we have done previously, thinking about it, as I wasn't aware of that guidance. I think others would think that way too, especially if it's an EOW arrangement.

If I had time I'd start a thread on it, it needs publicising.

Thanks again.