KIDS CHAOS
Piers Morgan blasts Michael Gove for wrongly saying kids of divorced parents CAN’T see both during coronavirus lockdown
PIERS Morgan this morning blasted Michael Gove for wrongly suggesting that kids of divorced parents CANNOT see both of them during the lockdown.
The Cabinet minister was forced to clarify the correct Government advice after an embarrassing gaffe earlier today on Good Morning Britain.
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He told Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: "You should not be moving children from home to home."
But then just minutes later on BBC News he was forced to correct the record and clarify that kids would be able to see both parents.
He said: "On a previous broadcast on Good Morning Britain, I stressed where possible, this should be kept to a minimum.
"It is the case that children under the age of 18 can see both parents.
"I was not clear earlier."
And Mr Gove later tweeted: "To confirm - while children should not normally be moving between households, we recognise that this may be necessary when children who are under 18 move between separated parents. This is permissible & has been made clear in the guidance."
But already Piers Morgan had blasted the minister for "making up policy on live TV".
He said it was "totally unacceptable" that Mr Gove couldn't confirm the right advice on air to millions of Good Morning Britain viewers.
And many went online to voice their unhappiness at the confusion.
Jo Hemmings said the comments would have caused "huge distress" to millions of separated families.
And Alex Beresford added: "I can't keep up!"
The Government guidance released last night after Boris Johnson's dramatic press conference, said: "Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes."
The news came after the PM imposed a drastic lockdown across the UK today - forbidding Brits from going out of their homes except for four reasons.
People should only be leaving to pick up essentials, go to work if they can't work at home, attend a medical appointment, or care for a vulnerable person.
The drastic measures announced last night 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
- Travel on roads, trains and buses was also banned, unless it’s essential to get to work.
Boris' new measures banned travel on roads, trains and buses, unless it's essential to get to work as the coronavirus death toll hit 335 with more than 6,000 cases.
However, this morning social media was flooded with pictures of packed tube carriages in London - as people continued to try and go into work.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said more tubes could not be put on as so many workers were calling in sick.
He said last week the London transport network would only be running a service for key workers to get in - and everyone else should stay at home.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and the London Mayor are set to speak later on.
Sports Direct told workers they were essential and had to come in, but later were slapped down by the Government and announced they too would shut.
And there was confusion about whether construction workers should continue going to their building sites.
Mr Gove said they should carry on working but make sure to stay two metres apart.
He told BBC: "It will be the case that the way in which construction sites will alter to take account of this guidance.
"We need to work with the sectors and businesses concerned that the work needs to be done to maintain and enhance our infrastructure can be done to make sure the life of the nation can continue and we maintain the economic health of the nation without compromising the health of the nation."
However, Mr Khan insisted that construction workers were not essential and should only go in if they have to ensure public safety.
He told Good Morning Britain: "Don't use public transport unless you really really need to go to work.
"If you really have to - don't use it at rush hour."
What can I do during the lockdown?
Q. Can I go to the shops?
A. You will be allowed out once a day to get “basic necessities” like food and medicine. All other non-essential shops will be shut anyway.
Food deliveries and other online shopping will go ahead as normal, Boris said tonight.
Shops that can stay open are supermarkets, pharmacies, vets, pet shops, hardware stores, retail shops in hospitals, newsagents, petrol stations, banks, post offices, laundrettes and undertakers.
Q. Can I still go to work?
A. Yes but only if it is absolutely essential, and the work cannot be done at home.
Travel on roads, trains and buses has been banned, unless it’s essential to get to work.
Q. Will I need an ID or proof of what I'm doing outside of my home?
A. It’s not yet clear. In France and other countries where similar lockdown are enforce people have to carry out forms detailing why they are out of the house.
The PM didn't mention this in his press statement.
Q. Can the police arrest me or fine me?
A. Yes. On Thursday police will have the power to fine you up to £1000 and even force you into self-isolation if they suspect you from being ill.
New fines are also set to be put in place of £30 for refusing to obey the new measures to stay indoors.
Q. Can I have a picnic in the park?
A. No. Gatherings of more than two people outside of a household have been banned.
You will be able to jog, go for a walk or bike-ride in a park once a day.
You won't be able to go to the playground or a public gym, however, as these will be shut down. Parks will remain open.
Q: Can I get an MOT?
Garages are open for key workes to get essential repairs, including MOTs.
If you do not need your car to get to an essential job, or take care of a vulnerable relative, you should not be driving.
Q: Can I get an emergency repair done to my boiler or electrics?
Yes, but only if it's an emergency and essential to your home or safety.
Any check ups or maintenence appointments should be cancelled.
Anyone coming to your home should stay 2m away.
Q: Should I move house if I'm planning to?
If you can, stay in your home.
Gove said this morning if it's possible to put pause on your move, do so, but accepted there will be situations where people have to move house.
Q. Can I go to a Church, Mosque or Synagogue or other place of worship?
A. No. All religious gatherings, including weddings have been banned.
Only Funerals will be able to take place - and only immediate family members will be allowed to attend.
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