Please note that you are using an outdated browser which is not compatible with some elements of the site. We strongly urge you to update to Edge for an optimal browsing experience.

Social Distancing: Minimise your show days and adhere to these dos and don'ts

19 Mar 2020

South Africans, both young and old are living a whole new reality right now as social distancing and flattening the curve dominate the collective lexicon.

Businesses are opting to let staff to work remotely where they can and it is clear the economic effect of Covid-19 our economy will be felt long after the pandemic has passed.

Gerhard Papen us, Chief Executive of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) says, "We have urged government, as a mitigating measure on both business and workers, to make available Unemployment Insurance funds to pay employees during periods of absence as a result of the pandemic."

'Person to person contact the biggest concern'

Because as the situation stands many cannot afford to stay at home - even it is the simplest way to curb the spread of this virus.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, according to South Africa's National Department of Health.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). This happens through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

A number of real estate agents have express the precautionary measures they're taking as a result of the global pandemic that is now a national disaster in SA.

Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, says “We understand that, as estate agents, we play an essential role in our communities and we realise that most of our clients have urgent property needs and livelihoods are at stake. We therefore commit to carry on serving our existing clients as well as new buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants, and to keep doing whatever we can to conclude successful transactions and expedite property transfers."

READ: 8 budget-friendly home office ideas that will inspire you

Health and hygiene measures include:

With the implementation of the latest travel restrictions, we will refrain from meeting with any client that has entered or re-entered the country for a period of 14 days from entry. Our agents and team members have been instructed to do the same, should they be the ones who have travelled.
We have encouraged our team not to embark on any non-essential air travel.
To be extra safe, we have also instructed our agents not to interact with any team members or clients if they are experiencing any cold- or flu symptoms, until the necessary medical steps have been taken.

If clients visit one of our offices, meeting an agent at their property, or attending a viewing or show house, please note that:

Our staff have been instructed to avoid all personal contact and to remain at least 1m away from you and your family at all times;
We will be equipped with sanitizers and will make sure that these are used at the appropriate times;
Our staff will request any client visiting a seller or landlord’s property - whether it’s at a show house day a viewing - to make use of sanitizing products before entering the property, and to refrain from touching anything in the property.

Similarly, group of attorneys who specialise in assisting their clients with the sale of the properties came up with some innovative solutions, all of which they say are already in use.

“We have some 18 firms of attorneys associated with the Attorney Realtor Hub and 88 staff members employed by these firms. We realized we have to keep the lights on and cannot stop assisting our sellers and buyers in the face of this global adversity. We also have a responsibility to keep ourselves and the people around us safe in terms of managing the spread of COVID-19,” says Meyer de Waal of MDW INC, one of the founding members of the Attorney Realtor Hub.

READ: The real estate agent’s guide to weathering the Covid19 storm

'Minimize personal showings of properties for sale'

"With the latest Virtual Reality Tour software and services available, a home buyer need not leave his or her own home or office to view 5 - 10 properties they have identified to buy. A sales agent does not need to take a home buyer to multiple home viewings, but can provide an online link to view all the properties available for sale.

"With a VRT available, a property seller will also have less visitors to the property as the entire property and surroundings can be viewed online.

"The property industry needs to be innovative in order to continue to function and provide the safest and most secure interaction between property sellers and buyers and other stakeholders. Investing in property still remains one of the most secure investments you can make. If one compares a property investment to the “crash” that that the Corona Virus caused in the Stock Exchange, it is plain to see property is a safe investment. The reality is that in South Africa, the supply and delivery of housing must to continue to meet the dire need for a roof over one’s head.

Virtual online support, services, software and products can assist in many ways. This industry has the all the tools it needs to meet this challenge head on, and continue to provide professional services to sellers and purchasers,” says De Waal.

Guidelines to ensure you don't spread the virus:

Don't: