Liverpool Psychologist says hugging signals 'return to normality'

Experts in Liverpool say allowing close contact with family and friends again should give us all a big sense of closure about the coronavirus pandemic is coming to an end.

It's after the Prime Minister announced it will be safe to hug loved ones from next Monday, while six people or two households can meet indoors.

Dr Mark Forshaw is a Psychologist at Liverpool John Moores University, he says it's a big step forward:

"Being put in that position, separating out those two things, the physical and the emotional and then bringing them back together again now, it brings a sense of closure for people.

"It is a signal that things are returning to normal and in some ways it is the most important part of this; it's going to make a lot of people feel like we have turned the corner".

As well as the relaxation of rules around household mixing and close physical contact, pubs and restaurants can serve indoors from next Monday and cinemas and theatres will also reopen.