By Isolde Walters | SWNS

A Manhattan matchmaker has shared her top tips on how to date in the time of the coronavirus.

Julia Bekker advised singles to enjoy wine and cheese night video dates but urged those looking for a relationship to avoid getting too intimate (over the phone) during the pandemic. The matchmaker and dating-and-relationship coach also predicted that many couples will not survive the challenge of self-isolating together.

“The coronavirus is definitely going to affect real-life interactions -- we simply can’t meet each other right now," said Bekker, who has worked in the matchmaking industry for over 15 years.

“A lot of people are feeling lonely and wish they had quarantine partners. For some singles, 2020 was the year they were going to take action in their dating lives. And now, for reasons beyond their control, it has come to a halt.”

Bekker believes that there may be a frenzy of activity on dating apps, as people feel bored and lonely during self-isolation.

“If more people are signing up to dating apps, it’s because they are taking this time to explore," said Bekker, who offers advice and matchmaking services at www.huntingmaven.com.

She added that if you feel ready for a relationship, quarantine may be the perfect time to see who is out there.

“It would be a great time for people who are looking for a relationship to sign up to the apps -- why not utilize this time getting to know someone and building a rapport with them? The anticipation of meeting after talking for so long will be a great buildup and add some excitement to quarantine.”

Julia recommended FaceTime dates and advised people to make an effort with their appearance, even for a virtual date.

“Show up on FaceTime as you would to any date. Don’t overdo it and wear a tight dress and heels if that is not your usual style, but look presentable," she recommended. “Make the dates fun. You could have a wine and cheese night, and maybe on your second or third date, you could throw some wigs on and make a party of it.”

Bekker warned against new couples flouting quarantine rules and meeting up, even if they intend to stay the recommended 6 feet away from each other.

“Are they going to stay 6 feet apart? Who are they kidding?" she said. “I don’t think if you meet a stranger in person you are going to stay that distance apart.”

For those already in relationships, Bekker expressed concern about how couples would fare stuck in close quarters for weeks, if not months.

“It depends on how small their apartments are,” Bekker laughed. “This could be a challenge for couples who live together."

“I also think people who are single are looking at couples and thinking the grass is always greener," she added. “They wish they had partners to go through this with but it definitely creates a challenge for partners not to get at each other’s throats.”

Bekker said some of her clients have decided to stop dating altogether during the pandemic, and she also worried about fledgling relationships that would not survive the coronavirus.

“Some of my new clients who are still single and hired me just before the coronavirus lockdown have decided that they want to wait until the world is normal again and we are not in such a downward spiral. They are not in the mindset to date because their businesses are taking a hit right now," she said.

“Some clients have just met new people and they have to set a pause on going on their fourth or fifth date, so that’s going to slow things down for them. Relationships fade when a person is not in front of your face. Things have the ability to fizzle if you don’t keep the momentum going.”

But the matchmaker rallied singles to remember that life will return to normal, and she expected summer to be “madness,” with people “itching to get out there”.

“I think that is when dating apps will pick up and hopefully my business will, too.”