Charlestown siblings Taj and Summer Riddle say they are “stoked” with today’s announcement of a “friends bubble”.
After six weeks of lockdown together, the pair are thrilled to be able to welcome a couple of their favourite mates into their home, from lunchtime on Tuesday 21 September.
The excitement comes after NSW Health announced children and teenagers aged 18 years and under will be able to create a “friends bubble” to allow home visits.
Like all good things, the announcement comes with a catch – the new freedoms are provided the adults in their residences are fully-vaccinated.
The easing of restrictions are particularly welcome as kids search for entertainment during the September school holidays.
“It’ll be great to get dropped off at my mate’s place and just hang out on our bikes, or in the pool, and not have to worry about the lockdown rules,” 13-year-old Taj said.
“I just think it will be great to see some friends and have a break from my brother,” 11-year-old Summer added.
From noon today, Tuesday 21 September, people aged 18 years and under who live in stay-at-home LGAs and areas of concern across NSW will be able to create a bubble of three friends and visit each other’s homes for play and activity.
The update to the NSW Public Health Order is subject to conditions, stipulated by Health Minister Brad Hazzard this morning.
“These latest changes are aimed at giving children more opportunities to be together and balances COVID safety with their mental health and wellbeing,” he said.
Each child is allowed to have two designated friends come to their house.
These two must always be the same, creating a three-person “friends bubble”.
The friends must reside within 5km of each other or in the same LGA and if parents/carers are dropping children off, they must not stay to interact with other parents or carers.
For more information go to www.health.nsw.gov.au
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