As for the burgeoning trend for people to WhatsApp photos of their negative test strip ahead of meeting, she admits to having done it herself – but only jokingly. “I don’t think it should be a norm that one has to share a test result. That’s terrible, like the social contract is breaking down: what sort of person would pretend they’d taken a test and that it was negative? But if asked, you should do it, and relay the result verbally.”

Is it appropriate to go to a work or social gathering if your partner has Covid?

Even before the recent rule change, you weren’t required to self-isolate if someone you live with had Covid, as long as you were fully vaccinated, but you were strongly advised to take a lateral flow test each day before leaving the house. But regardless of what the rules say, should you mix with others?

Wyse thinks not. “While you may test negative before a social event, it is very possible that you are incubating the virus and are therefore putting other people at risk,” she says. “It is therefore advisable to avoid close social contact until both you and your partner are showing no signs of infection.”

If you’re going to be spending lots of time in close contact with another person, such as a holiday, is the onus on an unvaccinated person to share their status, or is it up to the person who’s more worried to ask?

“I think the onus is on the unvaccinated person to speak up, I really do,” says Wyse. “This is about manners: the person who is unvaccinated should be thinking, ‘I’ve made a decision that has an impact on some people, and some people won’t be happy about it, and therefore it’s my duty to let them know.’” In fact, if there is a vulnerable person present, such as someone who is elderly, Wyse believes it’s “a dereliction of duty” not to speak up.

If you are concerned, then she says you are perfectly entitled to ask a person’s vaccination status, but advises phrasing your question politely: “I hope you don’t mind me asking…”

And finally, are handshakes, hugs and kisses now acceptable again?

The absence of touch – whether a simple hug to say hello or an arm around the shoulder to comfort someone in distress – was one of the most difficult aspects of the past two years,

According to Wyse, we’re not out of the woods yet. “I think we’re in a bit of an odd hybrid state at the moment,” she says. “I do hope they come back properly, but I think with all physical greetings, we are still at the stage where you can possibly ask first. I personally don’t mind shaking hands and if someone comes at me with their hand extended I’m more than happy to take it. But some people aren’t and if you don’t know them well, it might be an idea to preface the handshake with a question: ‘Are you shaking hands now?’”

As ever, if you are the one who is cautious, she is in favour of preemptively offering “a completely explicit explanation of your hugging policy. People who refuse hugs or kisses do often have an elderly parent. It is a good idea to mention it so it doesn’t cause offense.”

She adds: “What you want to avoid is any sort of physical dance of avoidance, because that’s embarrassing.” Forget duelling at dawn: if there’s one thing the British will go to any lengths to avoid, it’s the slightest chance of embarrassment.