You can now see some of your friends and family as long as you all agree to stick to a ten person social circle.
It’s the latest in restrictions being eased by Premier Doug Ford, who says you’ll be able to get up close and personal with your loved ones who don’t live in your home.
“This means finally hugging a grandparent, or sharing a meal with your parents or closest friends. But as we reopen, and as we reunite, we must continue to remain on guard,” Ford says.
A social circle can include the people living in your house, as well as your extended friends and family as long as you all agree to maintain physical distancing with others from outside of that circle.
“At the outset of the pandemic, we had to make the necessary, but difficult decision to ban large public gatherings and strongly advise physical distancing with everyone except immediate household members” said Premier Ford. “As the public health trends improve and our collective efforts start to pay off, we’re now able to take another step forward today by allowing families and their loved ones to reunite and spend time with one another safely through social circles.”
Ontarians who wish to form a safe social circle should follow these five simple steps:
- Start with your current circle: the people you live with or who regularly come into your household;
- If your current circle is under 10 people, you can add members to your circle, including those from another household, family members or friends;
- Get agreement from everyone that they will join the circle;
- Keep your social circle safe. Maintain physical distancing with anyone outside of your circle; and
- Be true to your circle. No one should be part of more than one circle.
The province has developed a practical step-by-step guide to help Ontarians as they safely develop and join a social circle.
