Chris Whitty warned against imposing a 'sex ban' during lockdown

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Chris Whitty warned against imposing a 'sex ban' during lockdownUK > PoliticsLeaked WhatsApp messages reveal that England's Chief Medical Officer, Chris Whitty, warned against imposing a 'sex ban' during the first weeks of the coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. Whitty suggested that the government should use a 'bit of realism' and encourage couples not living together to avoid contact 'if they can', rather than imposing an outright ban. However, the government went on to issue pandemic guidance that became known as a 'sex ban' for couples living in separate households, who were told to avoid contact while restrictions were in place.

What's happened

Chris Whitty warned against imposing a 'sex ban' during the first weeks of the coronavirus lockdown in March 2020

Why it matters

The leaked messages provide insight into the government's decision-making process during the early stages of the pandemic and highlight the challenges faced in balancing public health concerns with individual freedoms.

What the papers say

All sources report on the leaked WhatsApp messages and the debate around the guidance for non-cohabiting couples during the first lockdown. The sources differ in their level of detail and emphasis on certain aspects of the story.

How we got here

The leaked messages are part of a trove of more than 100,000 WhatsApp messages provided to The Daily Telegraph by journalist Isabel Oakeshott, who co-authored Matt Hancock's memoir, 'Pandemic Diaries', which covered his time as health secretary. The reporting has reignited rows about the UK Government's handling of the pandemic, even as Mr Hancock and others have described them as only a 'partial' account.