England's 'social bubbles' will let those living alone be with their loved ones
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that thousands of people living alone and single parents will be able to visit one other household without social distancing in a move that could see couples reunited in England.
He revealed that new “support bubbles” would apply from Saturday for those who are “particularly lonely” as the country continues to meet its five tests indicating that the coronavirus is being brought under control.
The bubble would exclusively apply to just one household and would be treated as though those in the bubble are from the same household so there would be no social distancing rules applied.
The Prime Minister did emphasise that it was right and proper for the devolved administrations to go at their own pace and the new rules did not apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
He also revealed that outdoor attractions like drive-in cinemas, safari parks and zoos could reopen with the exception of those parts that were indoors like reptiles houses.
Mr Johnson said: “We are continuing to follow our roadmap while adjusting our approach as we need to as we always said we would. Although we are tackling this virus as one United Kingdom it remains the case that the devolved administrations are responsible for lockdown in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“And it's right that they should move at the right place for them according to their circumstances and for that reason the specific measures that I'm about to announce apply to England only.
“On social contact I know how difficult the past months have been for people cut off from their friends and family, last Monday we relaxed the rules on meeting outdoors so the groups of up to six could gather provided they are socially distant.
“We did so in the knowledge that transmission of the virus is much lower outdoors so we could make this change in a safe way, but there are too many people still too many people particularly those who live by themselves who are lonely and struggling with being unable to see friends and family.
“So from this weekend, we will allow single adult household – adults living alone or single parents with children under 18 to form a support bubble with one other household.
“All those in a support bubble will be able to act as if they live in the same household meaning they can spend time together inside each other's homes and do not need to stay two metres apart.
“I want to stress that support bubbles must be exclusive meaning you can't switch the household you are a bubble with or connect with multiple households and if any member of the support bubble develops symptoms all members of the need to follow the normal advice on household isolation.
“We are making this change to support those who were particularly lonely as a result of lockdown. It is a targeted intervention to limit the most harmful effects of the current social restrictions, it is emphatically not designed for people who do not qualify to start meeting inside other people’s homes because that remains against the law.”