ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Peter Jackson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Newfoundland and Labrador’s chief medical officer of health said Friday up to six more people are now allowed to join up with existing bubbles or double bubbles.
The extra people do not need to be from the same household, but decisions should not be changed once made.
“This does not mean you have to invite more people to join your bubble. You absolutely do not,” Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said at Friday’s COVID-19 video update. “In fact, I would still encourage you to keep the number of close contacts you have as low as possible, as this is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting COVID-19.”
Although authorities can’t regulate people’s decisions, Fitzgerald said the new policy should not be seen as a licence to simply expand to random people in your circle.
It should be seen as an opportunity to reconnect with people who were important to you and supported you before the COVID-19 pandemic, she said.
“It doesn’t mean you have to. Just do it if it feels right,” Premier Dwight Ball added.
Dr. Proton Rahman, head of a core analytics team that has been advising authorities on COVID-19 projections and practices, said modelling out of Ontario shows that expanding one’s contacts to six people is relatively low on the risk scale. It gets much higher if you add just a few more people.
“Dr. Fitzgerald said it’s about balance. And on balance, this is certainly a reasonable thing to do,” he said.
Rahman also explained how establishing adjoined bubbles is more effective than simply allowing larger gatherings in general.
He said contact tracing is much quicker and more efficient if public health staff can immediately know who someone’s close contacts are.
“What’s really important in a bubble, just in terms of modelling, is compliance in the bubble, not necessarily the number. It’s really important not to cheat.”
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.
