This GBCA Safety Toolbox Talk discusses social bubbles, or pods, a strategy used to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Click below to download the Toolbox Talk as a handout (includes Sign-In Sheet). Updated: December 3, 2020.
COVID-19: Social Bubbles
A social bubble is a small group of people who commit to limiting their social circle to one another, and who follow the same COVID-19 prevention measures. Social bubbles allow you to socialize with some people, such as family members. These interactions can improve mental health by reducing loneliness and social isolation.
Social bubbles help limit the risk of catching COVID-19, but they do not eliminate it. Social bubbles do not replace isolation or quarantine. This toolbox talk provides tips and reminders for creating social bubbles.
Tips When Forming a Social Bubble
- Keep your bubble small and consistent. Adding people adds more risk.
- Set ground rules for your bubble:
- Wear a face mask
- Maintain social distance when in public
- Stay home whenever possible
- Practices good hand hygiene
- Everyone should be willing to quarantine or isolate as a group should one or more member of the bubble become exposed to someone with COVID-19 or develop symptoms of illness themselves.
- Don’t include people who don’t take precautions seriously.
Don’t Blindly Trust a Social Bubble
- Social bubbles still put you at risk for getting sick, including COVID-19
- Some people may be part of more than one social bubble, or may have close contact with others such as their co-workers.
- Be willing to remove someone from a social bubble. If someone does not take precautions seriously, they put your bubble at risk.
- Social bubbles do not prevent asymptomatic spread of COVID-19.
If a bubble member tests positive for COVID-19,
- The COVID-19 positive person should isolate away from the bubble for at least 10 days.
- All other bubble members should quarantine (stay home and separate from each other):
- For 10 days without testing and no symptoms.
- For 7 days after a negative test result for a test taken no earlier than day 5.
- Watch out for symptoms for 14 days.
Remember to record the attendees of your toolbox talk!
