Move in with your partner or face months apart in coronavirus lockdown, experts warn
BRITS have been told to move in with their lovers or face months apart thanks to the coronavirus lockdown.
Experts said that partners not currently in the same household should NOT see each other as part of the PM's fresh measures to tackle the pandemic.
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England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries told a No10 press conference this afternoon: "Clearly I am going to start a new career here in relationship counselling so I will tread very carefully as I work through this answer.
"The principle is that we want people to stay in their household units primarily.
"If you are two individuals, two halves of a couple, ideally they should stay in those households.
"The alternative might be, that for quite a significant period going forward they should test the strength of their relationship and see if one wants to be permanently resident in another household.
"What we do not want is people switching in and out of households, it defeats the purpose of the reduction in social interactions and will allow transmission of disease.
"Perhaps test really carefully your strength of feeling."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: "Make your choice and stick with it!"
In a dramatic address to the nation last night said that Brits should NOT be going outside their homes unless it was for one of four reasons - and they should not be meeting up with anyone else unless they are already living with you.
That is for food or essentials, a medical appointment, to go to work if you have to, and for exercise once a day.
The PM said last night: "You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no.
"You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home."
Boris also announced that gatherings of more than two people would be banned.
But it was not clear about whether meeting one friend - such as a partner who lives in another house - would be allowed.
The only exceptions that have been revealed so far are for key workers taking their kids to school, or for separated couples taking children to see the other parent.
Earlier today No10 were unable to confirm whether Brits would be able to still see their lovers.
It is unclear whether partners would be able to see each other if they stayed two metres apart, as is the guidance for everyone at the moment unless you share a home.
No10 were today asked specifically whether last night's lockdown would mean that boyfriends and girlfriends should not see each other.
Downing Street stressed that the rules were "clear" and that people should only be going out of the house alone, with members of their own live-in family - or if it were for "work reasons".
The PM's spokesperson said this morning: "I think the rules are clear in relation to when you are out of the house, only do so with members of your own household or if its for work reasons.
"People should follow rules in a common sense way.
"I think people should look at guidelines and use their common sense.
"We are working at pace and as people raise issues we will get clarity for them."
Last night's draconian measures which will change every aspect of Brits’ lives included:
- All gatherings of more than two people in public were forbidden – meaning a ban on all social events, including weddings and baptisms
- Tens of thousands of non-essential shops were ordered to close
- Communal play and exercise areas inside parks will also be shut down, but not parks themselves
- Places of worship such as churches and mosques must also shut, except to host for funerals
Downing Street aides said the lockdown is highly likely to be extended into May and possibly June unless virus fatalities substantially fall.
The police are being given emergency new powers to enforce the draconian bans, initially with on the spot fines of £30.
Cops will begin issuing them to non-compliers as soon as new laws can be rushed through the Commons, probably by Thursday night.
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