Coronavirus: Adults living alone can form 'support bubble' with one other household, says Boris Johnson
The change will allow some people to stay overnight at another household without having to socially distance.
Wednesday 10 June 2020 21:23, UK
Adults living alone in England, including single parents with children under 18, will be able to form a "support bubble" with one other household, the prime minister has announced.
The new rules begin on Saturday and are intended to ease the challenges of social isolation during the coronavirus lockdown.
Members of a bubble can visit each other indoors and stay overnight at their home, effectively acting as one household.
There is no need to stick to the two-metre social distancing rule.
A single-person household is allowed to join with one other multi-person household, meaning a grandparent living alone would be able to visit the house of their child and grandchildren.
It will also allow single parents to get childcare help from others, and couples who live apart to meet indoors.
Speaking during the government's daily coronavirus briefing, Boris Johnson said the measures were a "targeted intervention" to help those who are most lonely.
"There are still too many people, particularly those who live by themselves, who are lonely and struggling," he said.
The bubble policy, however, does not include those who are shielding, meaning guidelines stay the same for the "clinically extremely vulnerable".
Mr Johnson stressed the measures were not designed for people who do not meet the criteria, who should continue to socially distance and only meet outdoors.
He said the government "won't hesitate to apply the brakes" if needed.
The prime minister added that people cannot switch the support bubble or connect with multiple households.
And if one person in the bubble develops coronavirus symptoms then everyone must follow the relevant isolation advice.
Other changes - coming in on Monday in England - include the reopening of non-essential shops and zoos, as long as they can carry out proper social distancing.
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Commuters will also be expected to wear a face covering on public transport from next week - or risk a fine.
Hospital visitors and outpatients will have to do the same.
On schools, ministers yesterday admitted they would not be asking primaries to fully reopen, with many pupils now not expected to return until September at the earliest.