Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing children under 12 to play outside during the period of covid-19 restrictions announced in January 2021.

It is against the law for anyone, including children under 12 years old, to meet socially with friends outside unless they are part of their household or support bubble. However, there is an exemption from the stay at home rule for exercise which means that children can take part in physical activity outdoors with their own household. Playgrounds are permitted to open but children should not mix with other households.