ACT open home and on-site auction limit will further relax to 20 people

Canberra real estate agents can soon return to a level of normality after ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced the government will move to stage two of the national COVIDSafe Australia framework from midnight, May 29.

Under Canberra’s Recovery Plan, a number of activities and businesses, as well as open homes and on-site auctions, will be able to host up to 20 people so long as they do not exceed the one person per four square metres rule.

The latest announcement comes as the ACT has recorded zero active coronavirus cases in 22 days.

“We have got into this position because we’ve acted on the advice of public health experts and consulted across industry and community sectors on how we can gradually reopen our local economy while sustaining our low case numbers over the next few months,” Mr Barr said.

REIACT deputy president Stan Platis welcomed the government’s approach, saying the real estate industry would continue to abide by the new changes.

“We respect and support the government’s cautious approach in ensuring the health and safety of all Canberrans are a priority,” Mr Platis said.

“At this point, we’ll do whatever we have to do to abide by the ACT government’s guidelines.”

REIACT will meet with the ACT government tomorrow to discuss the new changes to the real estate industry further.

Stage two in the ACT will consist of two parts: 2.1 and 2.2 of the COVID-19 Easing of Restrictions Roadmap.

Should the measures not result in a significant spike in new cases across the ACT, the state government will move to the second phase of stage two from midnight June 19, which will allow up to 50 people in open homes and on-site auctions.

“The Recovery Plan supports our local economy and our community, without compromising the hard work we have all put in to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the territory,” Mr Barr said. 

When the ACT government first announced the lift on open home and on-site auction bans with an enforced 10-person limit, excluding staff, some agents postponed their auction dates in a bid to take advantage of the changes.

Other agents continued using online auction methods, saying they would have easily exceeded the limit on site; while another portion opted to use both online and on-site auctions simultaneously to provide buyers with the opportunity to choose how they bid.

The third stage of the roadmap will see up to 100 people allowed to enter open homes and on-site auctions. The date considered for stage three is mid-July.