Public Health Dorset have issued the following guidance: Single adult households can form ‘support bubbles’
From Saturday (13 June), single adult and single parent households can choose one other household to form a ‘support bubble’.
All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each others’ homes, including overnight, without needing to stay 2 metres apart. They must be exclusive, so you can’t change which household you join with. If anyone in the support bubble develops symptoms, everyone in the bubble needs to self-isolate.
This is designed to help those who are most isolated by current restrictions, whilst keeping the risk of spreading the virus low. It doesn’t apply to those who are shielding due to the increased risk to this group, but the government is keeping advice for those who are shielding under constant review.
Do I need to wear a face covering?
The government advises that you should wear a face covering in enclosed spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, and where you might come into close contact with people you don’t normally meet. This might include some shops.
From Monday 15 June, it will be compulsory to wear a face covering on public transport.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. You can make face-coverings at home. It should cover the mouth and nose, and you should wash your hands before putting it on and taking it off.
Whilst wearing a face covering, you should still keep 2 metres apart from other people. Do not leave home if you have symptoms of coronavirus, except to get tested.
The Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils explains in this video the ‘R rate’ and the situation in Dorset.
How will NHS Test and Trace contact you?
You’ll be contacted by email, text or phone.
Text messages will come from the NHS. Calls will come from 0300 0135000.
Children under 18 will be contacted by phone wherever possible and asked for their parent or guardian’s permission to continue the call.
You’ll be asked to sign in to the NHS Test and Trace contact tracing website at https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.
If you cannot use the contact tracing website, they will call you.
The NHS Test and Trace service will not:
- ask for bank details or payments
- ask for details of any other accounts, such as social media
- ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone
- ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087
