Main image via Facebook

While you’re self-distancing from the others, Facebook decided to bring people closer by adding a new reaction on the platform!

Facebook added a new hug reaction to bring people closer amidst the global pandemic and it’s an adorable emoji hugging a heart!

The new “care” reaction joins the existing “like,” “heart,” “LOL,” “wow,” “sad” and “angry” reactions on Facebook app and website and a “purple heart” reaction is also available on Messenger.

We’re launching new Care reactions on @facebookapp and @Messenger as a way for people to share their support with one another during this unprecedented time.

We hope these reactions give people additional ways to show their support during the #COVID19 crisis. pic.twitter.com/HunGyK8KQw

— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020

Head of the Facebook app, Fidji Simo said, “this idea of a hug reaction came back consistently as one of the emotions and feelings that were missing from reactions. So that’s something that was always on our minds.”

 “And with the crisis that we are going through right now, there is no doubt that people need more compassion, more support.”

On Facebook, we will launch a seventh Reaction alongside the existing six. The new Care Reaction will start rolling out next week globally and you can use it to react to posts, comments, images, videos, or other content on the app and https://t.co/t0PZL74vjg pic.twitter.com/PkpbCoPc4F

— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020

Simo said that the reaction is for users to show more love “when a regular heart does not feel like enough.”

“Even apart, we’re in this together. We’ve added a new reaction so you can show extra support while many of us are apart,” the update on Facebook reads. “We hope this helps you, your family and your friends feel a bit more connected.”

Messenger is rolling out a pulsating heart Reaction today so people can show extra love and care to their friends and family.

To update the reaction, you can press and hold down the heart reaction to view the new one. To change it back, press and hold the new Reaction again. pic.twitter.com/PufyOsm7zU

— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020

She also explained that the reaction may or may not be made available permanently and it depends on “whether they are finding value and whether this reaction is really specific to the moment in time that we are going through or if it’s more evergreen.”

 “Based on that, we will decide whether we keep it or whether we remove it at the end of this crisis.”

We know this is an uncertain time, and we wanted people to be able to show their support in ways that let their friends and family know they are thinking of them.

— Alexandru Voica (@alexvoica) April 17, 2020

So it’s time for you to show some love with the new “care” reaction and give your friends and family some “extra support” and love!

Do you love the new reaction? Let us know!

Stay home, stay safe and stay updated with the latest COVID-19 news here: https://en.syok.my/covid-19

Info via People