Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to confirm what discussions he has had with the Chief Medical Officer on reintroducing the established relationship exemption from social distancing rules during the covid-19 lockdown.

Ministers and officials in the Department have regular discussions regarding the COVID-19 restrictions.

There has never been a specific exemption from regulations for people in an established relationship. A previous version of the social distancing guidance advised that people in an established relationship who are not in the same household or support bubble did not need to maintain social distancing. However, the guidance has been amended to outline that these couples should maintain social distancing. The Government keeps all restrictions and guidance under continual review.