Good Morning Britain 's Dr Hilary Jones warned we must be cautious as social distancing measures are relaxed on Monday, allowing us to hug each other at last.
Speaking to Adil Ray and Susanna Reid, Dr Hilary explained the safest way to do it, even using a demonstration video with his wife, Dee Thresher.
Dr Hilary explained: "Everyone is desperate to hug, I think it's important to be selective, not to hug all and sundry but to hug people most close to you, that you have been really keen to hug."
Susanna said: "Well we have already been hugging the ones most close to us, but ones outside of that."
Dr Hilary continued: "It's important to ask them, have they got any symptoms? Have they been exposed to anyone else in recent time? Have they been vaccinated?"
"You need them to do a health questionnaire first!" joked Susanna.
Dr Hilary continued: "And do they want to hug? Because a lot of people still don't want hugs! Ask them if they want to hug, get consent first, and then by all means hug.
"But I would still wear a mask, I would turn your head away and not talk to them whilst you're hugging them, because it's aerosol contact."
"What have we become?" asked Susanna.
Adil asked: "So if you want to hug someone, keep you mouth and your face pointing away from them?"
Dr Hilary replied: "Absolutely, because it's inhaling aerosol droplets from someone with the virus that's almost guaranteed to transmit the virus.
"So if it's someone you haven't seen for a while and you don't know how they have been behaving, and if they have been socially responsible -"
The doctor was then interrupted by Adil's attempt to hug Susanna, which was rejected.
Approaching Susanna with his arms wide, Adil said: "Let me just, come on! I haven't seen you in such a long time!"
Susanna squirmed: "What did Dr Hilary say? I am still in the mood for a virtual hug!"
Dr Hilary added: "Lots of people are still nervous for a hug!"
Later, Susanna said to Adil: "Apologies, I am just protecting you first of all, who knows what I might have, but secondly if we ration or hugs you can hug more important people."
One viewer tweeted: "Well that attempt to hug Susannah failed miserably Adil. Better luck next time!"
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"I can live without the hugs tbh @GMB #GMB," remarked another.
"Rationing your hugs is such a great idea! Be mindful," added another.
But others added: "Absolutely pathetic,hug how you want # GMB " and: "Dr Hilary just so ya know I’m out here touching everyone today #gmb I’m just a little hug bug".
* Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV at 6am
