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| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus bubbles: How do they work and who is in yours? | Coronavirus bubbles: How do they work and who is in yours? |
| (14 days later) | |
| As lockdown restrictions have eased, people across the UK can now set up support bubbles. | As lockdown restrictions have eased, people across the UK can now set up support bubbles. |
| The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. | The aim is to help people who've been cut off from friends and family. |
| Those inside a support bubble count as one household and do not have to socially distance from one another. | Those inside a support bubble count as one household and do not have to socially distance from one another. |
| What is a support bubble? | What is a support bubble? |
| A bubble is defined as a group of people with whom you have close physical contact. The idea was first introduced in New Zealand. | A bubble is defined as a group of people with whom you have close physical contact. The idea was first introduced in New Zealand. |
| Single adults living alone - or single parents whose children are under 18 - can now form a support bubble with one other household. | Single adults living alone - or single parents whose children are under 18 - can now form a support bubble with one other household. |
| The second household can be of any size and can now include "at risk" people who were shielding. | The second household can be of any size and can now include "at risk" people who were shielding. |
| The independent advisory group Sage has been asked to examine if, when and how people might safely be allowed to expand their bubbles. | The independent advisory group Sage has been asked to examine if, when and how people might safely be allowed to expand their bubbles. |
| What are the support bubble rules? | What are the support bubble rules? |
| Support bubbles must be "exclusive". Once in one, you can't switch and start another with a different household. | Support bubbles must be "exclusive". Once in one, you can't switch and start another with a different household. |
| People in each bubble can stay in each other's homes and do not have to socially distance. They count as one household, which means that in England a further household is now allowed to stay overnight with them. | People in each bubble can stay in each other's homes and do not have to socially distance. They count as one household, which means that in England a further household is now allowed to stay overnight with them. |
| Anyone in the bubble contacted as part of England's test and trace programme must stay at home. If they develop coronavirus symptoms, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate. | Anyone in the bubble contacted as part of England's test and trace programme must stay at home. If they develop coronavirus symptoms, everyone in the bubble must self-isolate. |
| There is no limit on how far you can travel in England for your support bubble but local is best, the government says. | There is no limit on how far you can travel in England for your support bubble but local is best, the government says. |
| Bubbles can be cross-border with Scotland and Wales. | Bubbles can be cross-border with Scotland and Wales. |
| But what if...? | But what if...? |
| Social and family groups are complicated and might not fit bubble rules. | Social and family groups are complicated and might not fit bubble rules. |
| Grandparents: | Grandparents: |
| Single parents: | Single parents: |
| If you are single: | If you are single: |
| You can read the government's guidelines for England in full here. | You can read the government's guidelines for England in full here. |
| What if I don't live alone? | What if I don't live alone? |
| If you don't live on your own, or you are not a single parent whose children are under 18, then you can't join another household. | If you don't live on your own, or you are not a single parent whose children are under 18, then you can't join another household. |
| However, you can, of course, invite someone eligible to join a social bubble with your household. | However, you can, of course, invite someone eligible to join a social bubble with your household. |
| In England, two households or support bubbles can now meet indoors and stay overnight - with social distancing. | In England, two households or support bubbles can now meet indoors and stay overnight - with social distancing. |
| What about schools? | What about schools? |
| Social distancing is being adhered to as much as possible, keeping close contact between pupils to a minimum. | Social distancing is being adhered to as much as possible, keeping close contact between pupils to a minimum. |
| Year groups and/or classes will be kept apart in bubbles. Maintaining distinct groups or bubbles that do not mix makes it quicker and easier in the event of a positive case to identify those who may need to self-isolate and keep that number as small as possible. | Year groups and/or classes will be kept apart in bubbles. Maintaining distinct groups or bubbles that do not mix makes it quicker and easier in the event of a positive case to identify those who may need to self-isolate and keep that number as small as possible. |
| Who else can I meet? | Who else can I meet? |
| Small groups of people can meet without forming a bubble, but should socially distance. The number of people you are allowed to meet depends on where in the UK you live. | Small groups of people can meet without forming a bubble, but should socially distance. The number of people you are allowed to meet depends on where in the UK you live. |
| In England, a maximum of six people from up to six households can meet in any location ‒ public or private, indoors or outdoors. This does not need to be the same household each time. | |
| Why are bubbles needed? | Why are bubbles needed? |
| Basically, when people mix - especially in crowded places - coronavirus can spread. | Basically, when people mix - especially in crowded places - coronavirus can spread. |
| The virus is transmitted by droplets from infected people when they talk, cough and sneeze. | The virus is transmitted by droplets from infected people when they talk, cough and sneeze. |
| These can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object. | These can enter the body through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or after touching a contaminated object. |
| That's why people have been asked to maintain social distancing when meeting anyone not from their household. | That's why people have been asked to maintain social distancing when meeting anyone not from their household. |
| Bubbles allow some people more contact with others, while keeping other social distancing measures in place. | Bubbles allow some people more contact with others, while keeping other social distancing measures in place. |