People in the North East are being asked not to meet others outside their households as part of new lockdown-style restrictions - but can we still have support bubbles?
The restrictions announced by the Government, which will come into force on Friday, aim to reduce the rate of infection in the region as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Under the rules, residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households, either indoors or outdoors.
However, you are still allowed to form a support bubble and will be able to meet people within that group.
The new measures in the North East go alongside the national Government guidance and people must continue to follow this advice – including the rule of six, wearing of face masks where necessary and social distancing.
Here is more information about support bubbles and how they work:
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What is a support bubble?
This is a close support network between a household with only one adult in the home (known as a single-adult household) and one other household of any size. This is called making a ‘support bubble’.
Once you’re in a support bubble, you can think of yourself as being in a single household with people from the other household. It means you can have close contact with that household as if they were members of your own household.
Once you make a support bubble, you should not change who is in your bubble. You should also not have multiple bubbles.
Officials say: "Continue to follow social distancing guidance with people outside of your household or support bubble. This is critical to keeping you, your family and friends as safe as possible."
