The social gathering limit in the CKL has recently been increased from no more than five people, to no more than ten people.
What does that mean, exactly?
Only the same people all of the time? Can it be different people at any given time? Does this apply to my our house, or just outside?
Few specifics were given by the Ontario government when it made this announcement recently.
When you are with the 10 people do you need to be physically distancing?
Yes. when gathering with people who are from outside your household, you should still stay the recommended two metres apart.
Is this applicable to indoors or outdoors?
Both. As long as a physical distance of two metres can be maintained with people who are not in your household, it does not matter where the gathering takes place.
Does it always need to be the same people, or can the 10 people change all the time?
No, it doesn't need to be the same people. You can gather with a different group of 10 people, but you still need to physically distance.
How is this different than double bubbling?
The term 'double-bubble' or 'cohorting' refers to when two households make a pact to gather only with each other, and agree to stay distanced from everyone else.
This allows them to no longer have to physically distance from each other, theoretically, at least.
However, double bubbling is not currently allowed in Ontario.
Note, though, this new 10-person social gathering limit isn't restricted to two households and physical distancing measures are still required.
It is important to remember that all other pandemic precautions must continue to be strictly followed, including proper hand-washing, following our local Health Unit's order about when to self-isolate, self-assessing on Ontario's updated COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool and wearing a proper, non-medical mask when physical distancing may be compromised.
