What is a social bubble? A reminder about what you're allowed to do

However, there has remained some confusion surrounding exactly what a 'social bubble' means.

Unlike the first major lockdown, there are greater restrictions on exactly who can come to you home.

Basically, only one 'social bubble' is allowed to your home and vice-versa.

But, what exactly is a social bubble?

The following information comes from a Department of Health and Human Services website.

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You cannot have social visitors to your home. People can enter your home for care or other compassionate reasons, and for work or education services. If you live alone or you are a single parent, you can form a social bubble with one other person. That person can visit you at your home.

The single social bubble concept is a way to support people who may be feeling isolated while balancing the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk.

From 11:59pm 13 September, if you live alone or are a single parent/guardian (with dependent children under 18 years or are caring for a person with a disability or illness over the age of 18) you can create a 'single social bubble' by nominating one other person to be a part of your bubble. This will mirror the existing intimate partner arrangements.

You can have the person you form a bubble visit your home. Your nominated person can be from a household or share house, and you are also able to visit them in their home, but only when they are alone.

This needs to be the same person throughout the Second Step. A face covering must be worn for all interactions within the 'single social bubble'.

A single person living alone, or a single parent (with dependent children under 18 years 18 or caring for a person with a disability or illness over the age of 18), can nominate whomever they choose to be in their 'single social bubble'. You cannot nominate an entire household - it must be one person.

If the nominated person has children that cannot be left unattended, and there is no one else to care for them, the children can attend a visit.

If the nominated person lives with other adults, the single person can only visit the nominated person when they are the only adult in their home.

This would mean if a single person nominates one of their parents, they can only visit the parental home if it's just the nominated parent at home.

Otherwise, the nominated person will need visit the single person at home.

If you have a 'single social bubble', it's even more important you take extra steps to keep each other safe.

Only include people in your 'single social bubble' where you are both safe and healthy. If anyone within your bubble feels unwell, they must immediately isolate at home. You must not visit that person or have that person over to visit if either of you are unwell.

A face covering must be worn during visits. Measures such as physical distancing and washing hands regularly should be maintained during visits.

To protect the health of the nominated person in your bubble you need to both agree who you will see when you catch up with friends or family outside.

Both of you need to agree to how many people you will spend time with outside the home. This should include keeping a list of the people you see.

The more people you interact with, the higher the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission. You must not have any other visitors to your home.

No, you cannot form a 'single social bubble' with someone who lives in metropolitan Melbourne.

There are no restrictions on the number of times you can see the person in your 'single social bubble'. However, it is recommended that you minimise the number of times you leave your home for this reason, in keeping with advice to Stay at Home where possible.

The person you choose to form a 'single social bubble' with needs to be the same person throughout the Second Step toward COVID Normal.

Yes, but only one adult can be nominated. You also might want to consider the vulnerability of the person in your bubble and limit your interactions with others outside of your bubble when your person is an elderly friend, relative or parent.

If you are more vulnerable to serious complications because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you should carefully consider whether there are other ways you can stay connected - including video calls, phone calls or with social media.

You cannot visit them. However, you can meet up with a friend or family member outside of your 'single social bubble' for exercise or socialising outside.

There isn't a limit on who you can catch up with outdoors, as long as you meet public gathering limits. You should use common sense and limit seeing friends and family. You can meet as a group of up to five people from a maximum of two households outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap).

There is a lower risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) between people if you are outdoors which is why restrictions are changing to allow people to see a friend or family member outdoors.

If you are meeting up outside of the home you must wear a face covering unless an exception applies. When visiting someone in your 'single social bubble' inside the home you must wear a face covering to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus (COVID-19).