By now, we have all heard about the new COVID-19 State of Emergency announced January 12th by the Province real estate continues to be an essential service.

The current State of Emergency does impact real estate in two ways:

1. Short-term rentals for recreational purposes are effectively closed as of January 12th, 2021. If a booking was made prior to January 12th it is permitted to go forward.
2. Renovations started before January 12th will be permitted to continue but those that have not started are not permitted to start. The government has not indicated when the new measures will be lifted.

These new restrictions indicate the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in. We have made changes to ensure the that we conduct our business in a safe way ensuring that strict protocols are in place. Unfortunately, government projections are predicting things to get much worse. Our brokerage has made a commitment to continue to serve our clients in the midst of the pandemic. We are dedicated to carefully following the guidance from OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association) RECO, (Real Estate Council of Ontario) and public health officials. We take our responsibility to our clients, our staff, and our community seriously. We will continue to ensure that we work safely.

• Urgently needed in-person showings are permitted but MUST be scheduled in advance.
• Showings are restricted, the number of people in the home to one group of two people (plus the buyer’s sales representative) to allow for physical distancing.
• PPE must be worn at all times, surfaces & hands should be cleaned and sanitized before and after the showing. All appointments are spaced out so that they do not overlap and the flow of people is managed inside and outside the home.
• No showings are permitted without completing a covid-19 screening by all parties attending.
• Masks must be worn at all times. The additional requirement announced today mandates that masks must be worn outside in public spaces when social distancing is not possible.
• Open houses are banned. Full stop. No exceptions anywhere in the Province until the lockdown is lifted. We have implemented virtual open houses
• We are committed to using virtual tools first and to the greatest extent possible to conduct all business.
• As an essential service, real estate offices and Brokerages may remain open however the Government has stated that all employees who can work from home should do so immediately. Our Office remains open with all staff working remotely.

We know these measures are difficult and we all have had to make sacrifices. It is our hope that this pandemic will end, and life will return to normal in the near future. We are committed to serving our clients during these difficult times.

Until then, let’s continue to put the health and safety of our communities first. We are all in this together.