VIDEO Province Announces Social Circles
The provincial government is now allowing social circles of 10 people or less.
The chief medical officer of health says families can now expand the number of people they have close contact with to 10 where physical distancing does not need to be practised between members of the same so-called “social circle.”
Ontarians who wish to form a safe social circle should follow these five simple steps:
- Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;
- If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;
- Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;
- Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and
- Be true to your circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.
Dr. David Williams says if a household has less than 10 people they can add to their circle, but a person can only be part of one group.
People in a group are advised to continue to maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of their circle.
Public health says the concept will help families with child- and elder-care needs, and reduce social isolation during the pandemic.
The government says people at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 may not want to participate.