The housing market in England was given the green light to restart on May 13, and Murrays estate agents in Stroud are one of many companies who have had to adapt to working during the lockdown.

Director Richard Murray said: “We’re trying to keep the number of viewings down by only offering viewings to people who are ready to buy so we’re not overdoing the number of viewings in order to reduce the risk. We are using safety masks and gloves at all appointments and using hand sanitiser for staff and clients.”

Mr Murray said that for viewings, the owners are asked if they're happy for an estate agent to come to the property and if so, all of the windows and doors will be opened and the owner will sit in the garden or go for a walk during a viewing.

He added: "The company is also only allowing two people from the same household to view a property.

“Nobody is allowed to touch anything in the house and we’re trying to keep the viewings as brief as possible,” said Mr Murray.

“Then we’re wiping down all surfaces that we have had to touch and then finally letting the owners know we have finished – so it’s all very measured.”

The company has also been operating virtual viewings.

“Before restrictions were eased, some vendors were doing virtual tours of their properties to enable virtual viewings from people’s homes,” said Mr Murray.