We answer some of the coronavirus lockdown questions we've been asked on the Adver Facebook page.

Can I pick up my 10-year-old from his mum’s at weekends?

Yes. The guidance published after Boris Johnson’s speech on Monday states: “Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.”

My husband and I are key workers. Can I take my son to his aunt’s house while we work?

It’s not 100 per cent clear from the government guidelines, but it would appear not.

Taking him to school would be fine, it seems. The government guidance says: “If you work in a critical sector outlined in this guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school. Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.”

But in his statement on Monday, Mr Johnson said: "If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home."

Can I walk my dog more than once a day? And can you drive to a location to exercise/walk your dog?

The government says you should minimise the amount of time spent outside the home. It says here that you are allowed “one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household.”

If there’s more than one person in your household there is nothing to prevent them from taking the dog out.

Will dentists’ stay open?

The British Dental Association has advised dentists’ surgeries to shut for all but emergency dental care.

In a statement, they say: "Given the uncertainty and reflecting the practical consequences of the current official advice, we recommend that practices cease routine dentistry and operate an advice and emergency service only."

Travelling for “any medical need” is permitted under the government’s new guidelines.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald:

Commercial Road this morning Picture: DAVE COX

What about factories that are not key-workers? The firm says they have to go in. Do they?

Factories do not feature on the list of businesses that must close – published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on Monday night.

However, many factories – including Honda and BMW’s plants in Swindon – have announced they will close.

 Do you still have to go in? Advice to employers is to encourage employees to work at home.

The Unison union says your employer should complete a risk assessment to make sure it’s safe for you to work.

What about people who work in offices?

The Government says you can travel to and from work “but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home”. Advice to employers is to encourage employees to work at home.

I’m not a key worker, but my employer is telling me I have to go to work. Can they make me?

It depends on your job. On Monday night the Government published a list of businesses that had to change. You can see the full list here, but it includes auction houses, indoor and outdoor markets (except food stalls), community centres, cinemas and bingo halls.

The advice to employers is to encourage employees to work at home.

Union Unison says your employer should undertake a risk assessment to identify any additional steps they need to take, like re-allocating your duties or giving you protective equipment.

Do workers on zero-hours contracts get any help?

It depends on the terms upon which you’re employed by the company.

If you’re on the payroll (i.e. PAYE – paying taxes as you earn) but still on a zero-hours contract your employer can put you on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, meaning they’ll be able to claim back 80 per cent of your wages from the government. It’s capped at £2,500 a month per employee.

Before they put you on the scheme your employer will need to talk to you about becoming a furloughed worker. This means you’ll still be on the payroll but won’t be laid off – and you can’t do any work for them while you’re furloughed.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will run until at least the end of May.

Being on the payroll means that if you’re off sick and have to take time off then you will be entitled to statutory sick pay at £94.25 per week. However, you will need to be earning the equivalent of £118 a week after tax – or more.

Anyone who loses their job will be eligible for employment and support allowance from the first day they are unemployed. Previously, you could only claim the benefit after being out of work for at least eight days.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said last week: “Zero hours covers a variety of situations, but it may well be you are on a PAYE scheme and have a set of regular earnings and it will be covered depending on your particular circumstance.”

CLARIFICATION... 

In the House of Commons earlier shadow chancellor John McDonnell sought reassurances for zero hour workers as many are not on a PAYE scheme, adding they may be compensated by employers on the basis of average hours worked.

He said: "The unions in this field representing those workers have urged that surely this should be mandatory but also it should be applied to all zero hour and variable hour workers based upon average earnings over the previous weeks.

"That is exactly how their holiday pay is calculated at the moment and it's an accurate reflection of what they earn.

"We need some urgent action for this sizeable group of workers, at least nearly a million zero hour workers, maybe at least another million more."

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak replied: "As we're putting in place the detailed guidance for this scheme we're actively considering the question of how best to average earnings of people in this situation. I very much take on board the suggestion that he's made and I know my team are engaging with those unions to try and get the details right."

Are you allowed out to wash your car and windows?

It depends on where you’ve parked your car – and what your house is like.

You’re free to go into the garden or your drive. But you should probably avoid washing the car if it’s parked on the road.

I look after the grandchildren. One has separated parents, who do week on week off. One is still working. Will I be allowed to look after her, as it means driving here, dropping off, then picking her up after work?

No, according to the letter of the guidance.

The government guidance says: “Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes.”

But in his statement on Monday, Mr Johnson said: "If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home."

Will the council still collect my rubbish?

Yes, Swindon Borough Council is still operating the normal bin collection service. However, the Waterside waste recycling facility is shut.

I can’t find anywhere to park because everyone’s at home. Where can I put my car?

Traffic wardens will still ticket you if you’ve parked your car dangerously, on double yellow lines or in a disabled bay (and you don’t have a blue badge). But the usual rules around not parking in residential permit bays no longer apply.

If you’ve got a residential parking permit (for example if you live in parts of Old Town, Rodbourne or the town centre) you’ll be able to park in the borough council car parks for free.