Statement From OREA President Sean Morrison: OREA Urges Ontario Realtors® To Stop Open Houses Amid Rise In Covid-19 Cases

"Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic I have been incredibly proud of the leadership shown by Ontario REALTORS® and Real Estate Boards across the province in protecting the health and safety of our communities and clients. With cases in Ontario rising, we must continue to limit face-to-face interactions as much as possible and use virtual tools first and to the greatest extent possible.

Today, I am calling on Ontario REALTORS® to once again stop hosting open houses.

Back in April, OREA called on the Province to stop open houses during the first wave of the pandemic. I am proud that our Association was the first to recommend a stop to all in-person business, including open houses – advice that the Province later put into law as part of the State of Emergency. As we enter this second wave, we are once again asking the Government to ban open houses Province-wide until the pandemic becomes more manageable.

As trusted advisors, REALTORS® should be using virtual tools first and advising clients to use virtual open houses, virtual showings or in-person safe showings to show and view properties. For more information on how to safely conduct in-person showings during the pandemic, REALTORS® should consult OREA’s Guidance on Real Estate Transactions in Stage Two of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening the Province."

- Sean Morrison, OREA President