Stay-at-Home Order Remains in Effect for Toronto and Peel as York Moves Into Red Zone

The provincial government is extending the stay-at-home order and all existing public health and workplace safety measures in Toronto and Peel Region until at least March 8, 2021.
In addition, based on a general improvement in trends of key indicators, York Region will be moving back to the COVID-19 Response Framework at the Red-Control level as of Monday, February 22, with additional restrictions in capacity limits for retail stores, and will no longer be subject to the Stay-at-Home order. This will allow indoor dining to resume and gyms to reopen with reduced capacity. York Region now joins Durham and Halton in the red zone.
What does this mean for Real Estate?
Real estate is still considered an essential service; however, it's not business as usual:

• In-person open houses are prohibited in the lockdown and Red-Control zones and must not take place at any time across the Greater Toronto Area. This also includes refraining from door knocking and canvassing neighbourhoods.
• In-person showings by appointment are permitted; however, we strongly advise you to use virtual tools where possible, unless it is urgent. Space out showings and limit the number of people at each showing.
• In-person showings should not be conducted in properties with occupants who are COVID-19 positive or in COVID-19 self-isolation. Showings should only be held in properties where it is safe to do so, and all public health measures must be followed. We must do our part to stop community spread. We should rely on virtual tools.

While in-person open houses are prohibited under the lockdown and Red-Control zones, these TRREB best practices are applicable to in-person showings. For more on what you need to know about the pandemic, visit the TRREB COVID-19 Information Centre.
Also, the province has extended all emergency orders under the Reopening Ontario Act (ROA) until March 21. Orders under the ROA include the province's ability to implement rules on public gatherings, business closures and managing outbreaks in hospitals or long-term care homes.
The extension of the emergency orders does not change the length of how long a region is placed in lockdown. The full list of orders being extended by the Ontario government can be found here.
For the complete provincial announcement, please click here. We will continue to keep Members updated.