Covid-19 has changed our world, hasn’t it? When you come to view homes in Sequim or anywhere in the State of Washington, what is required of you in this Covid-19 environment. Realtors are under strict regulations. We are in Phase 2 according to our Governor’s rulings.
Face coverings are required to be worn at all times by real estate brokers, their clients, and industry partners (e.g. appraisers, inspectors, photographers, stagers, etc.).
Brokers may NOT provide services to any client who does not wear a face covering.
- No more than three (3) people, including the broker, may be at the property at any one time;
- Those three persons must strictly follow social distancing guidelines by remaining at least six feet apart at all times;
- No real estate open houses or similar invitations to view a property without an appointment, shall be permitted.
A broker may not leave a third party unattended in a property. Accordingly, brokers may only bring two other persons at a time into the property.
Can brokers hire signs installers during Phase 2 of the Order? (Revised July 7, 2020)
Yes. Brokers may hire sign installers, provided that no more than three people are present at the sign installation and those people adhere to strict social distancing guidelines. Real estate brokers, their clients and sign installers must wear cloth face coverings. Brokers may not provide services to any client who does not wear a face covering.
There are more changes. Some of the “everyone must wear masks”—and, “only 3 people, including the broker in the house”, are repeated. Please read the requirements! Covid-19 Requirements
This was in the front of the email we all received: If a customer or visitor is not wearing a face covering, businesses should take the following steps:
- A business representative or employee should politely educate the customer or visitor about the public health requirement to wear a mask or face covering. Businesses may choose to keep a supply of disposable masks to offer customers who do not have one.
- If the individual still declines to wear a mask or face covering, the business representative or employee should politely inquire as to whether the person has a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask. Businesses CANNOT inquire about the details about a person’s specific medical condition or disability and CANNOT ask for proof or documentation.
- For customers who are unable to wear a face covering, businesses are encouraged to offer some kind of accommodation for the customer such as curbside pickup, delivery or a scheduled appointment when physical distancing can be ensured.
- If a customer or individual refuses to wear a face covering but does not have a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, they should be politely told that the business cannot serve them and that they need to leave the premises. Under no circumstances should the business representative attempt to physically block an individual from entering or physically remove them from the premises.
- If the individual refuses to leave, the business representative should follow whatever procedures they normally follow if an individual refuses to leave the establishment when asked to do so (including contacting local law enforcement to indicate that the individual is trespassing).
Well, what can I say? As the Chinese proverb said, “May you live in interesting times.”
Last Updated on July 7, 2020 by Chuck Marunde
