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Coronavirus lockdown: Allowing family gatherings in England 'complicated' Coronavirus lockdown: Allowing family gatherings in England 'complicated'
(32 minutes later)
Allowing family gatherings is an "important public health issue", England's deputy chief medical officer has said - but added it is "complicated" to make the rules fair.Allowing family gatherings is an "important public health issue", England's deputy chief medical officer has said - but added it is "complicated" to make the rules fair.
Dr Jenny Harries said such a move could provide a "mental health boost".Dr Jenny Harries said such a move could provide a "mental health boost".
But she said if two large families wanted to meet "you end up effectively with quite a large gathering".But she said if two large families wanted to meet "you end up effectively with quite a large gathering".
Some lockdown measures have been eased but restrictions on how many people you are allowed to meet remain in place.Some lockdown measures have been eased but restrictions on how many people you are allowed to meet remain in place.
Large gatherings of people are currently banned but two people from different households can meet in outdoor settings, such as parks - as long as they stay more than two metres apart. Two people from different households can meet in outdoor settings, such as parks - as long as they stay more than two metres apart.
But any larger meetings between different households are currently banned.
At the daily No 10 briefing earlier, Dr Harries was asked whether this could be expanded to allow different households to meet as "bubbles" or "clusters".At the daily No 10 briefing earlier, Dr Harries was asked whether this could be expanded to allow different households to meet as "bubbles" or "clusters".
She said such a move would be particularly beneficial to those "who have been on their own or who are isolated from others".She said such a move would be particularly beneficial to those "who have been on their own or who are isolated from others".
But she added that any such step had to be "fair" and "consistent with public health advice".But she added that any such step had to be "fair" and "consistent with public health advice".
"So for example if you have families with large numbers already in their families who want to meet up, you end up effectively with quite a large gathering even if it's just two families meeting."So for example if you have families with large numbers already in their families who want to meet up, you end up effectively with quite a large gathering even if it's just two families meeting.
"I think it's really important that we think through the implications of that, particularly across families in different circumstances. If your family is a long way away, for example, you may be less able to do that. But recognise what the benefits will be I think for individuals and we are able to put in public health advice to some of those decisions.""I think it's really important that we think through the implications of that, particularly across families in different circumstances. If your family is a long way away, for example, you may be less able to do that. But recognise what the benefits will be I think for individuals and we are able to put in public health advice to some of those decisions."
Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick defended the government's decision to allow potential home buyers to view properties.Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick defended the government's decision to allow potential home buyers to view properties.
Speaking at the same briefing, he said he had been asked why the government would allow people to "look around a stranger's home but not visits their loved ones or parents".Speaking at the same briefing, he said he had been asked why the government would allow people to "look around a stranger's home but not visits their loved ones or parents".
Mr Jenrick said he understood "why this can seem confusing at first glance" but said estate agents must follow new guidelines during viewings. These include:Mr Jenrick said he understood "why this can seem confusing at first glance" but said estate agents must follow new guidelines during viewings. These include:
It is estimated there are 450,000 buyers and renters with plans on hold.
Property website Zoopla previously estimated that about 373,000 property sales had been put on hold during lockdown - with a total value of £82bn.
Mr Jenrick added that it was "essential that we cautiously open up parts of our economy where it's safe to do so".
His call came as the number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK has reached 33,186, a rise of 494 on the previous day.
In other developments: