Massive but gradual impact from first hugs; Dorset sociologist
Who will you hug first?
A sociologist from Dorset says the impact from our first hugs will be great, but we might not feel it immediately.
From tomorrow you'll be able to make your own informed decision on close contact with family and friends, such as hugging.
Other rules changing include:
- Up to 6 people or 2 households will be able to meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors.
- indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.
For many of us tomorrow will mark the first hugs we've shared with our loved ones in over a year.
A sociologist from Dorset says that the effect of these changes shouldn't be underestimated.
Hyun-Joo Lim, senior sociology lecturer at Bournemouth University said:
"Hopefully, once we start to regain a bit of our ability to make that physical contact, we will be able to go back to where we were and being able to feel more connected and happier and having more solidarity as a community.
"I don't expect something to change all of a sudden, it will be gradual but at the same time it will be really significant. It will mark the occassion for people to be able to gain a little normality.
"Even though the actual changes we need to wait and see what impact it has on people and society in general."