Due to the rapid rise and uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, a new Targeted Safer at Home Order went into effect on Monday, November 30. This order is significantly stricter than prior orders, including a provision limiting interactions with members outside of your own, immediate household. While real estate continues to be classified as an essential business, the new order does have impacts on our industry.

Here’s what the new LA County Public Health order means for real estate:

• Members are strongly advised to conduct virtual showings, meet remotely with clients and conduct remote closings, inspections, walkthroughs, etc, as much as possible. Though in-person showings are allowed as long as the showing party is limited to two members from the same household, GLAR is recommending that members limit in-person showings to situations only when an in-person showing is absolutely necessary to the transaction.

                      - Additionally, showings are not allowed when an occupant of the property is present. 
                      - All showings must comply with California DPH rules and regulations on showings and C.A.R.’s Best Practices and Prevention Plan

                       (form BPPP), including maintaining a log and contact information for any in-person showings for purposes of contact tracing.

• As an essential business, real estate offices may have up to 25% occupancy so long as the office follows all of the recommendations and regulations for essential office-based worksites. GLAR is recommending that brokerage and agents limit the usage of offices to the minimum necessary to maintain operations. Agents should work remotely as much as possible except when absolutely necessary to be physically at the office to perform tasks such as picking up or dropping off checks, lockboxes, etc. Remote work is encouraged to the maximum extent possible through the end of the targeted stay-at-home-order.
  

• In-person open houses continue to be prohibited. If you see a violation of this prohibition, please report the violation to GLAR for potential disciplinary action.
  

GLAR is working diligently to receive further guidance and clarification on the new safer-at-home order, and will share it with you when we receive it. Local municipalities within LA County may enact additional COVID-19 control measures - please consult glarcovid19.com for city-specific registration.

As a reminder, residents of LA County must also observe a ‘soft curfew’ and stay at home (unless working) from 10:00 pm - 5:00 am, with exceptions to shop for groceries, pick up food or walk pets outdoors. The ‘soft curfew’ is in effect through December 21st.

For more information on the county health order, please click here.