Gloves and plastic shoe covers will be provided by an estate agency when showing buyers around homes to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Regal Estates says its sales advisors have not experienced a decline in viewings despite social distancing advice, but the firm is taking these precautionary measures to "keep the wheels moving" for the property market.

Gill Taylor branch manager at the Canterbury office, said: "Last week and at the weekend it was very much business as usual but we're taking extra precautions to ensure that people who want to view can."

Some of their vendors are elderly and in the at risk category so the measure is designed to enable them to continue with their house sale safely, while respecting their need to stay protected from the killer coronavirus.

Letters have been emailed to their customer database today (Wednesday) which ask for buyers to limit touching in the properties.

Customers are reminded to cancel viewings if they have symptoms of the virus.

Ms Taylor said that while some customers are holding off on moving, others are keen to push on with their house sale and some purchasers need to find a home and move regardless.

The protective steps are being followed by staff in their branches in Market Street, Sandwich and their newest office in Castle Street, Dover which are operating as usual.

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