With COVID-19 cases continuing to decline to record numbers, The Ontario government has announced that the social bubbles of individuals can now expand to a total of 10 people.
The social bubble includes an individual’s friends and family. These social bubbles limit the contact one can have, with the one before this announcement being five people (including the people you live with). Social distancing is not necessary for people that are part of your social bubble.
“Think of your social circle as the people you can touch, hug, and have close contact with as we continue the fight against COVID-19… Be true to your social circle. No one should be part of more than one circle,” Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said to the media this afternoon.
According to the province, allowing Ontarians to expand their social bubbles during this time will help families reunite with each other, as well as to alleviate the mental health impacts caused by months of isolation.
The expansion is also not region-based, so regardless of where your area is in terms of reopening stage, you can expand your social bubble.
Ford is also putting his trust in Ontarians to expand their social bubbles responsibly, stating that law enforcement for these circles is not one of his priorities.
“The social circle police are not going to be knocking on your door. We’re trusting people,” Ford said.
Ford has also gone on to say that the maximum size of social bubbles may expand over the next few weeks and months if case numbers continue to lower at the rate they are going.
The province has also provided a five-step process for establishing your social bubble Here are those five steps.
- Your social bubble begins with the people you live with or come into your household regularly.
- If your bubble is under 10 people, you can add people from other households, family members, or friends to join.
- Everyone in your bubble must agree to be a part of it.
- Keep the people in your bubble safe by maintaining physical distance with people outside of your bubble.
- Keep the bubble to 10, nothing more.
Ontario COVID-19 stats
Today in the province, a record low 182 cases were reported by Ontario officials, making this the lowest number of cases recorded since March 28.
The newly reported cases bring Ontario’s total case count to 31,726, with 302 of those cases resolved yesterday.
Confirmed Cases: 31,726(+182)
Recoveries: 26,187
Deaths: 2,498
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