Brits face being unable to say hello with a hug until there's a coronavirus vaccine, the Health Secretary warned today.
Matt Hancock said he "wouldn't recommend" greeting people by hugging them because guidance recommends you keep two metres apart.
Asked when people would be able to hug someone they've just met, he told ITV's This Morning: "Really, to get to the point where this is totally sorted is when we have a treatment or a vaccine.
"Those developing the vaccine believe that they should have it on stream for this autumn.
"I'm cautious, I'm giving them all the support that we possibly can, but the science of vaccines is very complicated."
Researchers have said that while a vaccine may be ready by the autumn, it would take until 2021 at least for everyone to be able to access a dose.
Boris Johnson yesterday warned there may never be a vaccine in a worst-case scenario.
In the meantime people are still banned from hugging parents, children and grandparents who don't live with them despite lockdown being eased.
From tomorrow people in England will be able to take unlimited exercise, drive to beauty spots, sit in the park and play golf, tennis and angling - all while staying two metres away from other households.
In a crucial rule change, one person from one household can meet one person from another household in a public place - if you're 2m apart.
At the moment, this can only be one person from each household - so you can only see one parent at a time, though you could see each one 10 minutes apart.
The government is looking at allowing two households to join permanently in a "bubble" to reunite loved ones or share childcare.
These bubbles of family or friends would be allowed to hug and have close contact in private homes.
But this idea is still being looked at and there is no date or firm details for when it'll be introduced.
The idea would also mean each household can only join with one other household - posing a dilemma for the millions in shared or rented flats.
Meanwhile, there is no date for when the two-metre social distancing rule will be dropped.
