If you’re bursting to see loved ones, here’s how to create a ‘double bubble’
WHO would you invite to be part of your “double bubble” and will it put you at risk of picking up the coronavirus?
Now that the Government is allowing groups of up to four people from separate households to meet up outdoors, provided all rules are followed, the new social bubble is one way of alleviating isolation particularly for cocooners. Two households: The idea is that get-togethers work most safely if the double bubble is confined to the same two households – so it might involve asking grandparents or other close relatives who are on their own to join. It marks a step away from the solo bubble we were asked to follow.
Coronavirus spreads when people mix – be it at work, in shops, pubs and clubs, or on buses and trains. In full lockdown, to try to control the virus, people have been asked to actively avoid anyone who is not in their household and stay at home so this week marks a departure.
Don’t pop the bubble: Rules apply. The meeting must be outdoors, preferably not a back garden to avoid people stepping into the house.
Physical distancing of two metres must be followed and it should not be for too long.
Children are allowed but they need to be overseen to ensure they behave.
The concept of the double bubble comes from New Zealand, where Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has led an effort which has contained the virus.
It has been adapted in different ways in a number of countries.
In Canada, two families with children can get together in a house. In England, people are being told they can start to meet one other person from a different household outdoors.
However, it is safest and easiest to keep apart when outdoors where there is space to physically distance.
Minimise risk: There are no clear guidelines here but ideally you should not have close contact with anyone else outside your twohousehold bubble.
You should not join up with more than one household or bubble.
It is advised not to switch to different households for these meetings, meeting one set of relatives or friends one day and another the next.
Job screen: People who work or volunteer in settings where there is close contact with others, such as a hospital, may need to weigh up if they may be putting a vulnerable person in the other house in the double bubble at risk.
Anyone who has any potential symptoms of the coronavirus should exempt themselves from the gathering.
There needs to be strict adherence to hand washing and use of sanitiser.
5km rule: Meeting up has to take place within the 5km limit. The less movement the better in curbing the spread of the virus. It means that for now if the chosen other in the bubble lives farther away it should not happen.
But from June 8 the travel restriction will be extended to 20km.
From that date, small gatherings will be permitted for short visits indoors.
No picnics: The general advice for now is not to have a double bubble picnic if it involves passing around cups, cutlery and food. This is to reduce the risk of the virus being spread on surfaces.
Well-being: The HSE sees the benefit of taking advantage of this new freedom.
Dr Siobhán Ní Bhriain, a consultant psychiatrist and HSE Integrated Care Lead, has said that moving into a new phase in Ireland’s response to Covid-19, we now have an opportunity to increase our exercise activity up to 5km and participate with a friend outside of the household.
“I would urge anyone who can to take advantage of this in order to improve mental health and well-being.” Choosing another bubble household: There have been reports that putting the double bubble into practice is not as easy as it seems, particularly where extended families are concerned.
The rule here does not say anything about confining it to one other household so a decision may need to be made on whether to involve two sets of grandparents to avoid hurt feelings.
Location: The setting for the meeting needs to be carefully thought out. A local park seems ideal to provide the space needed to physically distance. It’s best to avoid anywhere other people would be passing by and find it difficult to keep the two-metre distance. Also you want to avoid anywhere that might have a lot of joggers.
Face coverings: An added precaution can involve wearing face coverings. Don’t touch a mask or face covering while wearing it – if you do, clean your hands properly.
Don’t use a damp or wet medical mask or reuse a medical mask. Do not lower your mask to speak, eat or smoke or vape – if you need to uncover your nose or mouth, take the mask off and put it in the bag for used masks.
Do not discard masks in public places.
Gloves: You might think of wearing gloves but the advice is not to use disposable gloves instead of washing your hands. The virus gets on gloves the same way it gets on your hands. Also, your hands can get contaminated when you take your gloves off.
Disposable gloves are worn in medical settings. They are not as effective in daily life. Don’t forget: People who are extremely medically vulnerable and people over 70 need to be especially vigilant to protect themselves as they are at the highest risk of severe illness from Covid-19.