The B.C. Government has announced a new restriction by order and direction of Dr. Bonnie Henry to limit social interactions in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.
It will be in effective from November 7, 2020 at 10:00pm to November 23, 2020 at 12:00pm
Since the announcement, there has been confusion among the public what "immediate household" means, the extent and reach of the restrictions, what this means for individuals living alone, and whether this applies to in-home services likes nannying and in-home nursing.
Core Bubble
Since then, the B.C. Government has been responding social media comments and providing updates to clarify and try to clear all the confusion.
According to the B.C. Government's page, an immediate household is:
your immediate family
a group of people living in the same dwelling
- if you have a rental suite in your home, the suite is a separate household
- if you live in an apartment or house with roommates, you are all members of the
same household
Realizing that limiting all social interactions to a person's immediate household means individuals living alone will be in complete isolation for 2 weeks, the government has opted to limit social interactions to one's core bubble.
Your core bubble includes "people you spend the most time with and are physically close to" (Government of B.C., 2020).
Examples:
your partner
a co-parent living in a different household
a relative or friend
So, What Does This Mean?
This means that there is to be no social gathering of ANY SIZE with anyone other than those in your core bubble
Do not invite anyone outside your core bubble (ex. friends and extended family) to your household
Do not gather outside
Do not have playdates for children
Exceptions (Allowed Activities):
Taking a walk (make sure it does not become a social gathering)
Childcare
Carpooling children to school
In-home services - ex. hair and nail salons, cleaning services, house repair, tutoring and music lessons, working with the disabled
Formal meetings - ex. group support meetings and City council meetings
Rental and home sale viewings
Pools and outdoor sports
Stay safe everyone! Please do your part as we must work together to beat the pandemic