Can I still see my partner during lockdown if they don't live with me? A UK doctor says no

Isolating and being in lockdown can be confusing at times, especially when it comes to the murky rules around visiting people — especially partners who live in other homes.

The UK's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jenny Harries, has urged couples who live in separate homes to "test the strength" of their relationship by keeping apart throughout the pandemic.

In Downing Street's first virtual press conference on Tuesday, she suggested couples "either move in together during the lock down period or stay living apart".

Harries said people need to avoid people moving in and out of different houses so they don't spread the virus.

"We do not want is people switching in and out of households," she said. "It defeats the purpose in the reduction of social interaction"

Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, who also joined the press conference through conference call, said people need to make their choices and stick with them.

People were desperate for clarification the rules, with confusion over whether couples were to meet up after the government prohibited meetings of more than two people who do not live together.

The Prime Minister's spokesman indicated people should "save lives" by not seeing each other if they live in separate homes.

He said "we are working at pace and, as people raise these issues with us, we will get clarity for them as soon as possible".

At the moment, anyone disobeying the isolation rules in the UK will be fined £30 (AUD $60) from Thursday, although the penalty could be higher if people don't obey the rules.

Unfortunately, the safe option for now may be to not see your partner if you can and exercise proper social distancing.