Coronavirus and Child Contact

[AustinRd]

Has anybody received any legal advice on the impact of self isolation of either child or NR parent? Schools are increasingly sending kids home if they show any symptoms meaning 14 days self isolation.

I know we should all be sensible but we also know that it’s never that simple. Is contact deemed “essential” under current government advice?
TIA

Hi, Family solicitor here, we've just been having a long discussion about this in the office (before we all work from home as of tomorrow)

General consensus is that the court would take a risk averse approach in relation to breaching contact orders in order to comply with government regulations, allowing arrangements to be suspended for self isolation if underlying conditions or in 14 day quarantine. However if no formal lockdown and no symptoms contact should continue (provided it is done door to door or collect from school without public transport)

Having said all that, courts are very likely to be closing soon except for urgent business so enforcing anything will be nigh-on impossible.

Thanks for the quick response. My ex wouldn’t advise me if he had symptoms anyway because his rights are the most important factor always, it would only be if I observed them that I’d want to refuse contact to protect the kids however I’d be worried about how it would be perceived (I’ve never refused contact in the past even when he had surgery and said he was fit to look after them when he clearly wasnt as he spent the whole weekend in bed)
I have my final hearing (Again) in early April and I fear courts may take action meaning hearings won’t proceed. Yet more limbo for the kids involved ☹️.