Today’s eMemo contains the following updates:
Public Heath measures extended to February 16, 2022
Important reminders about conducting open houses
Dear members,
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our communities, with case counts on the rise. Even so, we know that the important and critical work of supporting clients with their real estate transactions continues.
As many of you may have heard, as of January 18, 2022, the Public Health measures first introduced in late December have been extended until February 16, 2022. These include:
no organized indoor social events and gatherings of any size; concerts, sports games, and theatres reduced to 50% seated capacity, regardless of venue size;
gyms, fitness centres, and dance studios will re-open January 20th, but with increased safety measures;
bars and nightclubs to remain closed; and
limiting table sizes at restaurants, cafes, and pubs to a maximum of six people per table with physical distancing or barriers.
You can find the full details here.
Regarding in-person open houses, our guidance remains consistent with our eMemos from June 30, 2021 and December 24, 2021, in which we stated that members could begin holding in-person showings and open houses; however, we must remain diligent about the ongoing importance of health and safety for all. This aligns with recent BCREA guidance which advises that “REALTORS® are encouraged to continue to prioritize your own health and safety and the safety of your clients and communities by following [PHO] orders in your personal lives and continuing to follow best practices with respect to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in your day-to-day work.” We note that while still permissible in BC, the conducting of open houses does intuitively represent a higher threat of transmission than by appointment only viewings.
Thank you to all members for continuing to demonstrate safety and vigilance throughout these challenging times.
Have a good weekend and stay safe.
Baldev Gill
FVREB Chief Executive Officer
For ongoing FVREB updates on COVID-19, please visit:
http://news.fvreb.bc.ca/category/member-updates/covid-19-updates/
Additional COVID-19 resources:
BC Centre for Disease Control
Healthlink BC – COVID-19 Resources
BCREA
