Explainer: How Sydney’s singles bubble will work in lockdown

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed single people living alone will now be able to form a “bubble” with a friend or family member.

A singles bubble has been signed off by the NSW crisis cabinet as the state stares down climbing infections.

It is understood Deputy Premier John Barilaro argued against the proposition, but it was pushed by Customer Services Minister Victor Dominello.

It was also supported by Brad Hazzard and Dominic Perrottet.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant raised concerns about “mobility” encouraged by the bubble but the group decided mental health concerns outweighed the mobility risks.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the confirmation of the singles bubble in her Wednesday press conference, which will apply from 12.01am Saturday.

“The singles buddy system or bubble, if you have been or are living by yourself you‘re allowed to nominate one person that’s allowed to visit you,” the premier said.

“It can’t be a different person every day, it has to be one person for the next four weeks.”

The details of the NSW singles bubble have now been revealed, here’s everything you need to know.

What is a “single social bubble”?

You can make a single social bubble with one other person if you satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

– You live alone

– You are a single parent with a child/children under 18 years old

– You care for a person with a disability or illness, who is over 18 years old

What are the ‘rules’?

– You can only choose one person for your social bubble

– You cannot change the person once you start your social bubble

– The person you choose for your social bubble cannot be in a social bubble with someone else

– If you live in one of the eight LGAs of concern you can only bubble with people inside your 10km radius, however outside that there is no limit on the distance single bubble buddies can travel to provide compassionate support

– Anyone living outside the affected LGAs cannot involve anyone from the eight areas in their bubble

– You can nominate a visitor who does not live alone, but they cannot be involved in another singles bubble

– The person can be a family member, friend, colleague or partner

What can you do in your social bubble?

– The person in your social bubble can visit you at your home, but you cannot visit theirs

– They can only visit you at your home where no other adults are

– It is okay for them to visit you if there are children in the home

– If you have special needs, your carer or support worker can be with you when you visit the person in your social bubble

– You can travel outside the 10-kilometre radius from your home to visit the person in your social bubble, but you cannot travel to the eight hotspot LGAs (nor can someone who lives in those LGAs travel outside of them)

If you’re struggling in lockdown, the following resources are available 24/7:

Lifeline Australia: 12 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Confidential Helpline: 1800 737 732

Mensline: 1300 78 99 78

Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277

Emergency: 000