A change in the government’s lockdown rules means that separated parents who live long distances from each other can now stay in hotels to see their children.

Earlier guidance meant that parents who did not live with their children could visit them during lockdown but could not stay overnight.

The amendment enables parents in England and across all tiers to stay overnight in hotels so they can see their children during lockdown.

The push to change the rules was made by Tom De Castella, a former BBC journalist who had been struggling to spend time with his daughter who currently lives several hours away from his home in London.

Mr De Castella told the BBC, “She’s three-years-old and lives in north Norfolk with her mum. I live in south London [and] the drive is about three and a half hours each way. It’s a long day. To do it two days running is a killer.”