Lockdown: Government says children can go to the park to play

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has clarified that children and their parents are allowed to play in the park during lockdown

On Monday, Newsround reported that children are missing out on playing outdoors because lockdown restrictions are "confusing" and parents are worried about breaking the rules.

This was according to two organisations which support young people's rights to play.

We also told the story of brothers Bo and Wren, aged six and eight, who were told by a police officer to go home whilst playing in the snow.

Playing Out and Play England - along with a group of experts - want Prime Minister Boris Johnson to recognise play as part of the daily exercise people are allowed to do during lockdown.

We got in touch with the UK government about Wren and Bo's experience and asked them about the rules around children's outdoor play.

A Government spokesperson told us: "We recognise the importance of exercise to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of children, which is why playgrounds have remained open during the national lockdown and outdoor exercise is permitted.

"Playgrounds are primarily for use by children who do not have access to private outdoor space, and while parents, guardians or carers are allowed to take children to a playground for exercise, they must not socialise with other people while there."

This sparked some upset and criticism.

What happened next?

Downing Street and the UK's Health Secretary Matt Hancock, responded to the criticism over the government's lockdown guidance on children's access to outdoor play, which told parents to avoid taking their kids to playgrounds if they had access to a private garden.

Speaking to Sky News on Thursday morning, Mr Hancock said "the rules are really clear. Exercise outdoors with members of your own family is okay."

He then clarified further, saying: "Going to the park with your kids is not only allowed but perfectly reasonable."

Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, raised the issue in the House of Commons on Thursday afternoon. He said that children should be allowed to play in playgrounds whether they have a garden or not.

He said: "Families have difficult circumstances as it is, they are all struggling, they are all doing their level best.

"We'll have to leave it to them to try to get this right.

"I don't think that trying to legislate for who is in their garden, who isn't in their garden, is going to work."

Rules 'not clear enough'

The charity Playing Out - which encourages parents to close local streets to create safe areas for kids to play - told Newsround that they want the government to go even further and make the rules clearer.

In a tweet, it said "The rules are not "very clear" about children getting outside to play and it's impacting their health. Please add "play" to examples of exercise in guidelines so all parents (and police) are clear that it's #oktoplay outside (not just in playgrounds)."

They want the UK government to change the wording of its rules so parents can let their children play outside "without fear of being told off or even fined".

What do YOU think?

Loads of you have been getting in touch about what you think of the story.

artgirl123 said: "That was not fair on Bo and Wren they should have been allowed to play they would feel so sad if they were not allowed too".

sparklykittenL wrote: "Some people don't have a garden and rely on public space for exercise, fresh air, and play. I think that as long as we social distance we can still play outside."

And Animal Queen commented: "That's so unfair on Bo and Wren, they did nothing wrong! If they don't have a garden, then they should at least have access to a local park! Think about it, they're at home for 3 months {January, February, March} and they don't go out once. They're not getting any exercise are they? Plus snow is so fun."

Read this to find out what the rules are in your area.

Has lockdown impacted how often you go outside to exercise and play? Have you been asked to stop playing outside? Let us know in the comments.