In a letter posted to the National Association of Realtors website, association President Charlie Oppler asked the group’s members to start wearing masks and practicing social distancing “whenever possible.”
The move comes as the Delta variant of the coronavirus tears through the country, particularly in areas with lower vaccination rates.
“Safety is paramount in everything we do, and that includes ensuring both our members and their clients are taking every possible precaution when showing properties. We must remain diligent,” Oppler’s letter says.
While NAR cannot require its members to get COVID-19 vaccinations, Oppler praised safety protocols enforced at recent NAR events, like the Leadership Week conference in Chicago, as “great examples of tangible steps we can take to promote safety and sensibility at our in-person meetings.”
Those protocols included:
- Proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours in advance of the event, enforced with a “clearance pass.”
- A pre-event health questionnaire screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
- On-site COVID-19 testing and monitoring of attendees by doctors and an on-site COVID-19 compliance officer.
- Universal masking during the event, regardless of vaccination status, except when actively eating or drinking.
- Socially-distanced seating.
