Thread: #cummings talks about “rules”. There is law & guidance. The law, at that time, prohibited leaving the place where you live without reasonable excuse. (Reg 6(1)) Nothing in law on “exceptional circumstances” with children 1/6

The govt guidance says “stay at home” if you have COVID-19 symptoms. A section on “following advice to best of your ability” if you have children applies to detail of what you do whilst in home as is apparent from “we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.” 2/6

I.e. those set out such as shopping online, cleaning. Section continues: “what we have seen so far is that children with COVID-19 appear to be less severely affected. It is nevertheless important to do your best to follow this guidance.” Some reassurance perhaps if not all 3/6

spaces are repeatedly cleaned, not large home.? No interpretation of guidance means that if you are infected (but have a child) you can drive across the country. 4/6

Reasonable excuse. It seems that he made no enquiries of family/friends in London as to whether they could assist with their child if required. That would be an expected basic enquiry when considering the “need” to leave where he was living. 5/6

Whilst we may empathise with difficult decisions,Cummings’s spin on guidance to justify driving across country, when so many have made heart-wrenching sacrifices in following what the govt main message,drains sympathy.And Cummings made the journey when infected with COVID-19 6/6