OMDREB Members,
This afternoon,
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced select changes to COVID-19 restrictions in
the province. As developments are frequent, please click here for the latest updates.
How do the changes in
restrictions affect me as an OMDREB REALTOR®?
Starting December 18,
Ontario will reintroduce capacity limits of 50 per cent for indoor
venues. At this moment, there have been no developments on if
open houses will be affected by the reduction in capacity limits. We
are also currently looking into how the new vaccine verification measure that
kicks in on January 4th will affect REALTORS® who choose to require proof
of vaccination status to enter a house. You will be updated as soon
as we know more.
As was the case
earlier in the year, OMDREB recommends reintroducing limits to the amount of
people present during an open house and/or private showing. The
latest reduction of capacity limits is similar to what
we experienced in summer during the Stage 3 Reopening plan. For
guidance on conducting safe in-person open houses and showings, click here.
Please check with your
Brokerage regarding any special requirements it may have or will put in place
given the recent news.
Has the Province made
vaccinations mandatory in order to attend real estate
open houses or in-person showings?
No. The
province did not make vaccinations mandatory for attending open houses or
in-person showings at this time. REALTORS® should
continue to take all necessary precautions and follow public health guidelines
when conducting open houses and in-person showings to keep consumers and their
clients safe.
The province is also
strengthening proof of vaccination requirements and enhancing public health
measures as follows:
- Delaying the lifting of proof of vaccination requirements beyond January 17, 2022, aligned with the
reopening plan that stipulated that doing so was contingent on the absence
of concerning trends.
- Effective January 4, 2022, requiring the use of the
enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and the Verify Ontario app in
settings where proof of vaccination is required. The QR code can be used digitally
or by printing a paper copy. Individuals can download their enhanced
certificate with QR code by visiting https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/.
- Strengthening the verification process for medical
exemptions and clinical trial exemptions by requiring a certificate with a
QR code. Organizations and businesses that are under the provincial
proof-of-vaccination system will be advised to no longer accept physician
notes as of January 10, 2022.
Thank you for
continuing to do your part to stop the spread of COVID-19. If you
have any comments or questions, please email communications@omdreb.ca