While the safest option is to limit close contact to your immediate household, health officials recognize some families may need additional support. Adding one other individual, couple or small family to your social circle may help you handle childcare, celebrate special moments and more while minimizing your risk of getting sick. Adding additional people to your social bubble requires communication and agreement. To do it in the safest way possible: Agree on ground rules — People within your bubble should avoid getting within 6 feet of anyone outside your household or theirs
Consider everyone’s needs — Neighbors and family members can offer help and support to one another (think about who would mutually benefit from closer contact)
Recognize the risk — People who are 65 or older, or have an underlying health condition, face a greater risk of COVID-19 complications, so if you fit that description or if someone in your household does, it’s safer to keep your bubble small
Stay consistent — The people in your bubble should remain the same from week to week
Once these conditions are met, you can spend time together and allow kids within the bubble to play with one another. Everyone will need to watch for and communicate about any symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever and shortness of breath. If one person in your bubble gets sick, that person should stay in their own space and be cared for separately. Anyone else in the bubble who had close contact with that individual should self-quarantine, too. Talk with your health care provider and follow these steps if you or someone in your household is sick.