New local lockdown restrictions in England will be eased to allow people to look after children or vulnerable adults from outside their household.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged such arrangements were a "lifeline" for many people, and without them they were unable to do their jobs.
But he said the exemption will not allow parents to send their children to "playdates or parties" with friends from another household.
The news comes amid the UK coronavirus alert level being increased from Level 3 to Level 4 due to a significant surge in infections.
In June, the alert level went down to a Level 3 after cases plateaued but now that they are on the rise, the UK stands at a Level 4 once again.
Merseyside is to face new restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus from tomorrow, September 22.
Last week, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced new measures would be placed on our entire region to try and combat the rapid spike in Covid-19 infections.
Addressing childcare concerns, Mr Hancock told MPs: "I've heard their concerns about the impact of local action on childcare arrangements.
"For many, informal childcare arrangements are a lifeline without which they couldn't do their jobs.
"So today I'm able to announce a new exemption for looking after children under the age of 14 or vulnerable adults, where that is necessary for caring purposes.
"This covers both formal and informal arrangements.
"It does not allow for playdates or parties, but it does mean that a consistent childcare relationship, that is vital for somebody to get to work, is allowed."
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From Tuesday those living in areas in which mixing between households is banned can form a care bubble with another household to share caring responsibilities, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
The exemption will allow a relative or friend to care for a child or vulnerable adult from a different household but the relationship must be consistent.
Around a third of children aged between zero and four in England were looked after under informal childcare arrangements in 2019, the DHSC added.
