The housing market will remain open following the latest lockdown restrictions announced on 4 January.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson detailed that a national lockdown will be emplaced across England by law from 6 January.
The enhanced restrictions are accountable to the new variant of COVID-19, which is between 50% and 70% more transmissible.
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Johnson said: “There is no doubt that in fighting the old variant of the virus, our collective efforts were working and would have continued to work.
“But we now have a new variant of the virus. It has been both frustrating and alarming to see the speed with which the new variant is spreading.”
“The government have said that people in England will be able to move properties and removal firms, tradespeople, and estate agents can still operate by going inside homes.
This is in contrast to the first national lockdown when the housing market, alongside other industries, was not allowed to operate.
Mark Hayward, chief policy adviser at Propertymark, said: “We welcome the news that the housing market is to remain open throughout this new lockdown period, but it is essential that all agents continue to play their part in reducing the spread of the virus through following all relevant guidance on how to safely conduct viewings.
“It is vital that agents operate in accordance with government and Propertymark guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, keep movers and buyers safe and keep the housing market moving through these uncertain times.”
The measures are expected until at least the middle of February and include the closing of schools and workplaces.
Countrywide Surveying Services has also detailed that it will continue to operate as ‘normal’ following the government’s announcement.
Via a Linkedin post, Countrywide Surveying Services said that its service provision will continue to be provided under existing stringent COVID-19 secure safety protocols that it has been using for the last few months to ensure we protect both customers and its staff.
Furthermore, the firm outlined that it will continue to review and react to any subsequent government guidance as it is published, and release any updates as and when necessary.