Boris Johnson announces social ‘bubbles’ where certain households can visit each other indoors

The Prime Minister has announced further steps to ease lockdown restrictions.

Boris Johnson led today’s daily coronavirus briefing from Downing Street, where he gave details of his next steps for the country, including opening non-essential shops and zoos, as the government says all five key tests have been met.

From Monday, June 15th, non-essential shops, zoos, safari parks and drive-in cinemas can open,  as long as businesses can meet social distancing and other safety measures.

To combat loneliness, from Saturday single households in England – people living alone and  most single parents – can form a support bubble with another household, and can visit and stay overnight at each others houses.

Essentially, the two households will form a ‘bubble’ and will be able to act like they live together, and not have to follow two-metre distancing. You’ll only be able to choose one household to form the bubble with.

The Prime Minister said tonight: “There are too many people, particularly those who live by themselves who are lonely and struggling with being unable to see friends and family.

“From this weekend we will allow single adult households, living alone, or single parents with children under 18, to form a support bubble with one other household.”

Single people includes anyone who lives alone, as well as single mums or dads with any number of children under 18.

Unfortunately, anyone who is shielding will not be able to form a support bubble at this point.