Why small groups will be first 'social bubbles' allowed out of coronavirus lockdown

The government said that the idea was “very alive to the issue of social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing”. Under the social bubble proposal, people would be allowed to combine their household with one or two others, up to a maximum of 10 people. A cautious version of the plan would probably mean that the vulnerable such as the over-70s and those with underlying health conditions would be advised to keep isolating and not merge with other households.