A New Zealand airport caught global attention after it implemented a three-minute cap on hugs in its designated drop-off zone.
The sign, which was posted online, advised passengers that saying goodbye to loved ones in the car park was the ideal method.
Some users of Facebook criticized the airport’s new rule as an inhumane attempt to reduce congestion in the terminal.
One user called the rule inhumane and said that it was unfair to put a limit on the amount of hugs that people can give.
Others took a humorous view of the situation, with one person stating that the airport worker could just break it up.
According to the airport, the new rule was implemented to improve the flow of passengers and reduce the congestion in its terminal.
Daniel De Bono, the chief executive of the airport, said in a radio interview that the change was made because the area was too crowded.
He also noted that too many people were hugging each other too much.
According to De Bono, a study revealed that a mere 20 seconds of physical contact can stimulate the release of oxytocin and serotonin in people.
He also stated that the airport’s goal was to encourage people to move on and leave the area.