New bubble rule may let kids see their friends

Victorian kids may soon be able to gather in groups under a bubble arrangement already allowed in New South Wales. But strict rules would apply.

Victorian kids could soon gather in groups of three under a NSW-style friendship bubble.

kids could soon gather in groups of three under a NSW-style friendship bubble.

Health Minister Martin Foley on Tuesday said the state government would look into “any good idea”.

“Any good idea is one that, of course, the public health team would look at,” he said.

The bubble arrangement in New South Wales allows children — aged under 18 — to socialise in exclusive groups of three.

Children must live within 5km or in the same LGA and must stick to their groups, and their parents must be fully vaccinated.

Millie, 9, and her sister Celia, 6, have missed social interaction. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The trio would also enable year 12 students to create study groups ahead of exams.

Prominent child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg said it was a “vital initiative” that would help children develop and support those with existing psychological problems.

“Any initiative that boosts the health and wellbeing of our young people is welcome,” Mr Carr-Gregg said.

“If it’s good enough for NSW, presumably it’s good enough for us.”

Leading epidemiologists also backed the call, deeming it relatively low risk but high reward.

ANU infectious diseases physician Peter Collignon said it was imperative that children were allowed to socialise in a gradual way.

“If we’re going to have a zero risk mentality, we’ll end up becoming hermits for the next few years,” he said.

“The risk is not zero, but this has huge psychological and emotional benefits, with little risk.”

Chair of Biostatistics at the University of South Australia Adrian Esterman said the proposal fell into the “low-risk category”.

“As we start to open up again, we need to look at cherry-picking the things that are most low risk,” he said.

NSW mother Fay Jelley said the initiative was a great way for her daughters, Celia, 6, and Millie, 9, to spend time with their friends who they have missed.

“(The girls) have not had contact apart from online with their friends and they’ve definitely missed out on having that connection ... we are human beings, and human beings are not used to living in isolation.”