Nationwide lockdown: Children can now travel between their parent’s houses

Nationwide lockdown: Children can now travel between their parent’s houses

The Minister of Social Development has announced that separated and divorced parents are allowed to move their children between houses during the COVID-19 lockdown, provided they meet certain legal requirements.

The new regulations as of 16 April 2020 give clear directions to contain the spread of COVID -19 when it comes to the care and contact of children between caregivers and persons who are co-holders of parental responsibilities and rights during the lockdown period. Here are the amended regulations:

1. Movement of children between co-holders of parental responsibilities and rights, or a caregiver, can take place during the lockdown period where arrangements are in place for a child to move from one parent to another, or one of the following can be provided:
   
   (a) The child's birth certificate to prove the connection with the parent;
   
   (b) a court order; or
   
   (c) a parental responsibilities and rights agreement or parenting plan, registered with the family advocate, is in existence, provided that, in the household to which the child is to move, there is no person who is known to have come into contact with, or is reasonably suspected to have come into contact with, a person known to have contracted, or reasonably suspected to have contracted, COVID-19.
   
   The parent or caregiver transporting the child concerned must have in his or her possession, the birth certificate, the court order, or the necessary parental agreement or plan, or a certified copy thereof.
2. A Social Worker's report is also deemed to be sufficient for the admission of service users in treatment centres and Halfway Houses during the lockdown period.

If you need any clarity on these regulations or have any concerns about the well-being of your children in the current circumstances that require urgent attention, do not hesitate to contact us for the necessary legal advice.