So when can I hug my grandchild again?

Grandmother’s lockdown plea to Hancock

BRITONS who are desperate to see loved ones they’ve been separated from during the lockdown were given a ray of hope by the Government yesterday.

A question from a grandmother who missed her grandchildren and yearned to give them a hug typified the emotional turmoil across the country felt by families who have been split up.

In the first question from a member of the public at the daily Downing Street press conference, Lynne from Skipton emailed to ask whether she could see them once the Government’s five tests for lifting the lockdown were met. She added: ‘I’m missing my grandchildren so much. Please can you let me know if, after the five criteria are met, is being able to hug our closest family one of the first steps out of lockdown?’

Health Secretary Matt Hancock passed the tricky question straight to the chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

Professor Whitty indicated that older and more vulnerable grandparents may have to be protected for longer from the risks caused by physical contact with people outside their household.

But he said ‘everyone fully accepts’ the need for families to be reunited. Answering Lynne’s question, he said it would depend on whether she had a ‘significant medical problem’ or was ‘older’ and needed shielding.

He added: ‘If she’s in a group that’s vulnerable, then the answer is it might well be prudent – and this will depend entirely on individual circumstances – for her not to get into a situation where she’s putting herself at risk.’ But he indicated that younger and less vulnerable grandparents may not be so restricted.

Professor Whitty added: ‘ The overall view that one of the things clearly important to everybody is the ability to get together with families remotely, but also physically, everyone fully accepts. Nevertheless, it is important that people who are vulnerable continue to be protected even after whatever the next steps are.’

One question sent in from the public will be chosen each day by the independent polling firm YouGov to be asked at the press conference. Ministers will not know the questions in advance.