If you’re re-connecting with loved ones as the lockdowns ease, you should hug them, but avoid shaking hands. Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst says that hugging is really less risky than giving a handshake in the wake of the pandemic.
He also advises saving hugs “for the people you have an affinity with,” and notes that people probably won’t have missed the “obligatory handshake” anyway. Van Ranst made the statements as Belgium announced on Monday (June 8th) that its citizens may see ten other people per week as the country relaxes its nationwide lockdown.
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams says that an “elbow bump” is the safest way to greet someone, but the World Health Organization pans the idea, noting it would cause practitioners to come too close together.
