Boris Johnson has announced new plans to combat lockdown loneliness with the introduction of “support bubbles”, starting this weekend.
Adults living alone in England will be able to spend the night and freely mix with one other household, under the new scheme to be introduced on Saturday.
Ministers believe the targeted easing of restrictions will help those who have been left isolated while still keeping the spread of coronavirus under control.
But who exactly is covered by the new “support bubble” measures? And how many bubbles can one person belong to? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who do the new arrangements apply to?
Adults living alone or single parents living with children under the age of 18.
What new freedoms will they enjoy?
They can form a "bubble" with one other household which means they will effectively be treated as a single household for the purpose of lockdown restrictions.
This means they can visit each other indoors in their homes – staying overnight if they wish – and they won't have to observe the two-metre social-distancing rule.
Who is likely to benefit?
Elderly people living alone could form a bubble with the household of an adult son or daughter enabling them to visit and even hug their grandchildren for the first time since March.
Single parents could pair up with their own parents allowing them to share childcare duties.
Couples who do not live together will be able to visit and to stay with each other.
Can two grandparents living together now visit their children and grandchildren?
At this stage only if their son or daughter is the only adult in the other household in the bubble.
Downing Street has acknowledged not everyone will benefit from the change although officials have hinted a further loosening of the rules if the coronavirus outbreak continues to decline.
Can households form more than one bubble?
No. The arrangement must be exclusive with no switching of bubble partners.
Will people have to formally register these bubble arrangements?
No, it will run on the basis of trust. No 10 says the public has shown “great responsibility” in following the social distancing rules so far.
Do bubble households need to be close together?
Again no, although officials are suggesting people should try to “stay local” where possible.
What about vulnerable people who are shielding due to their age or health problems?
At the moment, officials say it is too soon for them to be able to join support bubbles.
What about parents who are separated but who currently split childcare?
Children can continue to travel between both parents' homes.
If the parents are the only adult in the household they can form a bubble with another household – meaning the children could potentially be in two bubbles, one for each parent.
What happens if someone in a bubble develops coronavirus symptoms?
All members of both households in the bubble must self-isolate for 14 days
