Three weeks relates to the incubation period for the COVID-19 virus.

Yes. If you are in a public space, you are required to wear a face covering even if you do not have symptoms or feel sick. People with COVID-19 sometimes do not have a fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms, but can unknowingly, spread the virus to others. Wearing a face covering is meant to protect other people in case you are infected and do not know it.

No, social bubbles can only be a maximum of 12 individuals.

The State of California's mandate of face coverings requires any person over 2 years of age to wear a face covering when in a public place, especially when:

• at indoor AND outdoor businesses – whether as an employee or a customer
• waiting in line to enter a store
• waiting for and using public transit
• when in a taxi or rideshare
• when seeking healthcare; or visiting a hospital, medical clinic, pharmacy, laboratory, dental office, veterinary clinic or blood bank
• walking outside and within 6 feet of others (about the length of a mattress)

Exceptions may be made for individuals with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering. For more information, visit coronavirus.marinhhs.org/masks

Social bubbles are groups of people that must be consistent for three weeks, not interacting with others outside the bubble closer than Social Distancing rules require. After three weeks, people may regroup in new bubbles as long as they are healthy. There is no break required between bubble periods.

A face covering is a mask or cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth. The face covering should allow for breathing without restriction. There is no requirement to wear a hospital grade mask or other specific type or brand of face covering. You may wear a homemade face covering, if it fits closely and covers your nose and mouth.

For more specific information on how to make or care for your face covering, visit https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/masks.

No. The total number of people for one bubble should be 12 people. Therefore, a family of four should only add eight people.

It is permissible for an employer to require employees be tested for COVID and share their results with the employer, as long as the test is “job-related and consistent with business necessity.”

It is important that employees be virus-free when they come to work. Requiring testing and requiring employees to share the results is permissible. The employer must keep the employee medical information confidential and must maintain it separately from the employee’s personnel file.

No, housekeepers do not need to be part of your social bubble. Currently, the rules state that you should not be at home while your housekeeper is working so you should not have direct contact with him/her. Also, social bubbles are meant for outdoor activities at this point.

No, not when used by themselves (without a mask).  The purpose of face shields is to protect the facial area and eyes, nose and mouth from splashes, sprays or splatters of body fluids and are usually used by health care workers, dental providers, and other emergency medical providers.

Face shields are generally not used alone, but in conjunction with other protective equipment like a mask.

Face shields do not hug the face like a mask. Face shields used without masks still allow the respiratory droplets to escape because the shields are open on the sides and bottom.  In the sense of “my mask protects you, your mask protects me” a face shield used alone does not stop the flow of respiratory droplets like wearing an appropriate fitting mask or face covering does. 

It depends on the household situation of those 11 friends. For example, if one of the friends belongs to a household of four people, then the entire household (all four people) would need to join your bubble, not just the individual friend. Remember, social bubble membership is exclusive. So, in the off chance you’re “bubbling” with 11 other single (no children, live alone) adults, all of you would need to remain committed to stick with that same group for a minimum of three weeks.

Yes, but this is a higher-risk bubble. But please take your usual precautions with hand washing and sanitizing for the safety of your family and your social bubble friends. One tip: it’s important for people who create bubbles that include members at higher risk for serious illness to keep those bubbles as small as possible.

The success and failure of the social bubble concept depends not only on your personal actions but also everybody else. It’s about solidarity. Keeping our bubbles small and consistent is really important to prevent an increase in the number of infections and a stress on our health care providers and hospitals.  It’s best to be upfront about what levels of contact you expect to be having.  Set ground rules together, since your idea of proper contact may not be the same as someone else in your bubble.  Remember: their behavior impacts your health and vice versa.  

Technically, yes. But, it’s important to take precautions. Social bubbles are an excellent way to allow families across multiple households to come together once again. However, older adults are especially vulnerable to severe symptoms of COVID-19. Therefore, all members of a social bubble should continue to practice other protective measures of physical distancing, wearing face coverings, frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and obeying isolation or quarantine guidelines if a member of the social bubble is diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. People who are forming a bubble that includes people over 65 or those at high risk should consider a smaller-sized bubble with a very cautious approach to outside contact.

Depending on the activity that you and your social bubble are participating in, make sure you are in compliance with the California State guidelines for masks and face coverings. When in doubt, wear a face covering.

We suggest that you figure out what level of risk each social bubble member is comfortable with before agreeing to be in each other’s bubble. Make sure you are creating a social bubble with people you really trust so that everyone feels comfortable and safe. 

MORE INFORMATION

• Social Bubble - Frequently Asked Questions
• Social Bubble overview (English - PDF) (Spanish - PDF)