Single people are now able to see loved ones again as social bubbles come into force.

People across Basingstoke who live on their own are now able to form 'social bubbles' - where a single-person household joins with another household and act as one.

You can only join together with one other household and if one person in either household starts to get Covid-19 symptoms, everyone across both need to self-isolate.

However, for many people, this will be the first time that they are able to see others since mid-March.

From grandparents seeing their children and grandchildren to couples that live apart getting to meet up for the first time, there were plenty of emotional scenes across the country this weekend.

One of these was Danielle Vernon, who hasn't hugged her partner since the beginning of April.

"Finally feels like I have some normality back having him back with me and my girls," she told the Gazette.

And Hayley Severn also had her first cuddle with her mum in months.

"Her first cuddle with me and her grandchildren. Was very emotional reunion."

Meanwhile, Emma Chapman's son managed to see his grandparents on the eve of his birthday.

"To me this sums up what lockdown has meant to families," she said," and that first hug/reunion [was] so poignant and emotional."

  • Have you been able to see loved ones for the first time in months? We want to hear from you! Send your pictures and contact details to ryan.evans@basingstokegazette.co.uk.

Social bubbles: All you need to know

  • Who is covered by the new arrangements?

Adults living alone or single parents living with children under the age of 18.

  • What will they be able to do that they could not before?

They can form a bubble with one other household which means they will effectively be treated as a single household for the purpose of the lockdown rules.

That means they can visit each other indoors in their homes – staying overnight if they wish – and they will not have to observe the two-metre social-distancing rule.

  • Who might benefit?

Elderly people living alone could form a bubble with the household of an adult son or daughter enabling them to visit and even hug their grandchildren for the first time since lockdown.

Single parents could pair up with their own parents allowing them to share childcare duties and reuniting grandparents and grandchildren.

Couples who do not live together will be able to visit and to stay with each other.

If one half of a couple shares a flat or house with one or more other people, they can see their partner as long they live alone – if their partner also shares a home they cannot see each other.

And if several people share a flat or house and all have partners who live alone, only one will be able to see their partner, which could lead to some interesting conversations. This will affect large numbers of young people living in towns and cities.

  • What about households where both grandparents are still living – can they now visit their children and grandchildren?

At this stage only if their son or daughter is the only adult in the other household in the bubble. And if the grandparents have two or more children who live alone, they will have to choose between them.

Downing Street has acknowledged not everyone will benefit from the change although officials have hinted a further loosening of the rules if the coronavirus outbreak continues to decline.

  • Can households form more than one bubble?

No. The arrangement must be exclusive with no switching of bubble partners.

  • Will people have to formally register these bubble arrangements?

No, it will be taken on trust. No 10 says the public has shown “great responsibility” in following the social distancing rules so far.

  • Is there any limit on the distance between households in a bubble?

Again no, although officials are suggesting people should try to “stay local” where possible.

  • What about vulnerable people who are shielding due to their age or health problems?

At the moment, officials say it is too soon for them to be able to join support bubbles.

  • What about parents who are separated but who currently share childcare with the children moving between the two households?

That will continue. If the parents are the only adult in the household they can form a bubble with another household – meaning the children could potentially be in two bubbles, one for each parent.

  • What happens if someone in a bubble develops coronavirus symptoms?

All members of both households in the bubble must self-isolate for 14 days.

  • Does this apply only to England?

A scheme in Northern Ireland has also been brought in from Saturday. This is for a person who lives alone, and can visit someone else’s private dwelling, including staying one or more nights. If they have a child or children living with them they do not qualify. This will be be reviewed on Monday.