COVID-19: Tips for Alberta’s REALTORS® Last updated: March 23, 2020 In response to increased occurrences of COVID-19 – commonly known as Coronavirus – in Alberta, AREA is providing the below recommendations for it’s REALTORS® in order to protect you and your clients from the impact of this illness. Ways you can protect yourself: • Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer, with a minimum of 60% alcohol base, will suppress germs until you are able to wash your hands with soap. • Get into the habit of not touching your face, including your nose, eyes and mouth. • Rather than car-pooling, meet your clients at the showing or open house. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Use your inner elbow should you not have access to a tissue. • Avoid shaking hands. • Practice social distancing by standing a minimum of 2 meters/ 6 feet apart from other people. • Clean your cellphone and devices regularly with disinfectant wipes. • Stay home and postpone engagements, if you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other cold or flu-like symptoms. • If you feel sick, do not interact with others. Use Alberta Health Services online assessment tool to determine your next steps. Ways you can protect your client: • Limit face-to-face interactions wherever possible. Utilize online meeting tools such as Zoom and Skype to interact with clients. • Open houses are prohibited at this time. Instead, use of technology, such as virtual tours and videoconferencing, is encouraged. • Avoid shaking hands, ensuring that you preface with the reason why. • Educate your clients on online tools which allow them to explore the market from the comfort of their homes. • Keep disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer with you at all times and offer them to your clients before and after showings or meetings. • Be aware that older age groups and the immuno-compromised are most at risk of severe consequences. • Make a plan of support for your clients, should you fall ill and require selfquarantine. • Practice patience and kindness; recognizing that this is a stressful time for many, and that business is not operating as usual. Coronavirus Information: Stay apprised of the latest recommendations from Health Canada and follow their guidelines and advice to stay safe. If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms use Alberta Health Services online assessment tool to determine your next steps and refrain from interacting with others until you receive guidance. Alberta Health now recommends anyone who has been in contact with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 to self-isolate for 14 days. Review the Self-Isolation Information Sheet provided by AHS to understand what this entails. Review Alberta Health Services Frequently Asked Questions document for answers to some of your questions. Stay informed with the most up-to-date information: • Alberta Health Services • Public Health Agency of Canada • National Association of REALTORS® • Alberta Government • Infection Prevention and Control Canada • World Health Organization Coronavirus and Mental Health: In these times of uncertainty, you or someone you know may be experiencing a high degree of worry, anxiety and stress about the health and safety of yourself or your loved ones. Or you might be worried about meeting your financial commitments and what will happen with the real estate market over the next several months. It is important for all of us to acknowledge these impacts and to engage in an open dialogue about them, including on ways to maintain and support our mental health. Check out the Government of Canada’s Mental Health @ Work web page and downloadable information sheet. Please note, the Government of Alberta has declared a state of emergency. Open houses are also prohibited. Face-to-face interaction should be avoided whenever possible and when not possible, extreme caution should always be exercised. COVID-19: Showing Tips Avoid driving your clients, requesting to meet at the location. Carry hand sanitizer and disinfectant cleaning wipes in your vehicle. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water when arriving and just before leaving a property. Avoid touching items when able to. Consider disinfecting common spaces, including door handles, closet and cupboard knobs, sink handles, before touching them. Provide your clients wipes or hand sanitizer when leaving the property. If your client seems ill, suggest they reschedule the showing to a time when they feel better. COVID-19: Checklist for when engaging with clients Consider using the checklist below to encourage open communication with your clients around the coronavirus outbreak. Have you recently traveled outside of the country? Do you feel unwell? Do you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any other flu-like symptoms? Have you recently had any contact with someone who is ill? Do you feel comfortable in hosting showings while the coronavirus continues to spread? Do you feel comfortable in visiting homes while the coronavirus continues to spread? Print off these checklists to use in your practice Suite 217, 3332 20 St. SW I Calgary,ABT2T6T9 How to Handrub? 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