Still, some experts warned that those wanting to hug their friends with wild abandon should save those arms for their favorite friends. “It would worry me if we were advocating we can hug all of our friends every time we meet them again,” said Catherine Noakes, a professor from the University of Leeds and member of a government advisory body, to the BBC. Hugging should not be “too frequently,” she advised. “Keep it short, try and avoid being face to face, so perhaps turn your face away slightly, and even wearing a mask could help.” Mr. Johnson seemed to agree, saying, “I urge you to think about the vulnerability of your loved ones.”