Some companies have chosen to stay away from the Maidstone Studios until deep cleaning of offices and communal areas is carried out.

It comes after the first case of coronavirus confirmed in Kent was linked to an NHS trust operating from the site on Vinters Business Park.

A spokesperson for the Maidstone Studios said: "This evening an independent facilities company will attend site to ‘fog’ clean communal areas of the building.

"Additional hand sanitisers are being fitted outside both lifts on all floors and both restaurant doors. These will contain an alcohol product that is above the 68% government guidelines."

Meanwhile, companies including Continuity of Care Services and ITV Meridian have chosen to work from home.

But despite concerns, the studios says it is working closely with Public Health England South East and say it is not necessary for all businesses to remain closed.

Several companies have been happy to return.

Staff at Outset Legal are operating from their office in the building as normal.

Platinum Cars says it's taking precautions but is continuing to work on site while following advice from Public Health England.

The canteen is due to reopen tomorrow.

The person who contracted the virus is a member of staff from the North East London Foundation Trust NHS office. The employee, who had recently returned from Italy, was in the building last week and tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.

Stephanie Dawe, chief nurse for NELFT, said: “We can confirm one of our colleagues has been diagnosed with coronavirus, is currently being treated in a treatment centre in London and we wish them well. They were not working in a building or role which meant they came into contact with patients. We are working closely with Public Health England who are contacting any member of staff who had close contact so they can be given appropriate health advice.”

Dr Rachel Pudney from Public Health England Centre South East said: The individual was in the office more than 72 hours ago and therefore any viral contamination is likely to be minimal now. The risk assessment is that there was unlikely to be heavy contamination within the workplace due to lack of symptoms at this time."

Shortly after the news, shelves in stores across Maidstone were stripped of hand sanitiser.

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