Contact during new lock down periods

[DrDetriment]

Our area might move to an increased lock down with two households being banned from meeting inside. DP and I are really worried that the children's mum will stop contact again like she did before. There is limited contact anyway and the children are desperate to see their dad more. Can she do this if the government changes the lockdown tier for our area? There is a CAO in place.

The family court and government are clear that children can maintain their contact arrangements during lockdown. However, they do make provision for families making their own decisions in this regard and that parents may differ in their views around safety eg shielding family members etc. Did the children miss out on contact completely during the last period of lockdown earlier in the year? You can probably expect things to be difficult again. If they had at least some then there would be little justification if this occurs again. What measures can you take to minimise risks eg. are they being collected door to door by car rather than public transport. Hope it works out.

Thanks. No major health issues involved, no key workers etc, we are all healthy, I've been tested die to having surgery, it's just an ex who unless the court orders something won't give a minute more. She stopped contact totally in lockdown earlier and the court's view was 'if mum thinks it should stop, then we won't do anything'. It had a horrible mental health impact on the youngest, who feel mum and the courts are keeping them away from their dad anyway. Hopefully this time she will be more reasonable. We minimise risk as much as we can of course.

She stopped contact totally in lockdown earlier and the court's view was 'if mum thinks it should stop, then we won't do anything'.

So he took it to Court. Did he go with a barrister or self-represent?

Barrister. The judge simply didn't care. Mum is always right unfortunately.