How NSWs friend bubbles for children will work

NSW will introduce social bubbles that will allow kids aged under 18 in lockdown areas across the state to visit their friends’ houses.

Crisis cabinet signed off on the new measure on Monday, allowing children living in areas subject to stay-at-home orders to nominate two friends who are allowed to come to their house to play.

Children will be able to form “friend bubbles” from midday on Tuesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.Credit:Edwina Pickles

The new rules come into effect from midday on Tuesday and will only apply to households where all adults are fully vaccinated.

All children in each bubble of three must live within a five-kilometre radius of each other or in the same local government area.

If parents or carers are dropping their children off, they must not stay to interact with other parents or carers and children cannot change who is in their “friends bubble”.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the change was made due to the state’s strong vaccination rate and the need to support the wellbeing of young people.

“Parents and children have had a difficult few months, trying to balance both work, often from home, as well as home schooling,” she said.

“This change will hopefully make a big difference for families during the school holidays and allow young children and teenagers to catch up and reconnect with their friends.”

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said this change would also benefit older students, allowing them to create a study bubble ahead of the HSC.

“Year 12 students have had a stressful few months, and with the HSC approaching, a study bubble is a great idea to help students maintain motivation, receive support from a classmate and continue their preparation for the upcoming exams,” she said.

Earlier, Deputy Premier John Barilaro told the Today show that kids and parents had done it tough throughout the pandemic.

“The mental strain, the wellbeing of our kids is important,” Mr Barilaro said. “So the crisis committee made a decision that we’ll allow those kids to come together, just like we have the adult single bubbles.”

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