'Back to normal': ACT open home and on-site auction limit will further lift to 100 people

Canberra real estate agents, buyers and sellers have welcomed ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s latest announcement that will see the number of people allowed at indoor and outdoor gatherings increase from 20 to 100 from noon, June 19.

This new cap includes open homes and on-site auctions, as long as they do not exceed the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule.

In a press conference on Friday, Mr Barr said the capital would move to a “modified stage 2.2” phase under Canberra’s Recovery Plan, dubbed the COVID-19 Easing of Restrictions Roadmap. 

Initially, stage 2.2 of the roadmap permitted up to 50 people at a number of businesses and activities, including open homes and on-site auctions, while stage 3 would see that number increase to 100 around mid-July. 

But with no significant spike in new COVID-19 cases in the ACT in recent weeks, the plan to bring forward the further ease restrictions has been fast-tracked.

“Canberrans should be proud of how our city has responded to the threat of COVID-19,” said Mr Barr.

“The dedication the community has shown in adhering to physical distancing requirements has put the territory in a great position to allow us to move about and enjoy more of what the nation’s capital has to offer.”

Andrew Chamberlain of Blackshaw Manuka described the news as “fantastic”, adding that the increased number of people at open homes and on-site auctions would “bring us back in line with pre-coronavirus business”.

Blackshaw has, in recent weeks, used both on-site and online auctions simultaneously after the ban was lifted on May 9.

“We will continue using the hybrid auction method, depending on the requirements of the bidders … we’ll decide on a case-by-case basis,” Mr Chamberlain said.

“Twenty people at auctions did require a fair bit of management in some cases because there are neighbours who’d come by and watch, but we held online auctions for those unable to attend or wanted to bid from home.

“On the day of an auction where there are a lot of moving parts, the increase in the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings is certainly something that we could do with.”

Louise Harget of Belle Property Kingston said they would host their first on-site auction tomorrow. 

“We didn’t want to host anything online because the restrictions were so limiting,” Ms Harget said.

“While it’s refreshing to get back to normal, the nice thing about this announcement is that neighbours can now come along and have a look and get a real sense of market prices in their suburbs and educate themselves.”

Ms Harget commended house hunters, adding that a number of people who booked private inspections were conscious of social distancing measures.

“Buyers have been really respectful at all our open homes, waiting patiently outside until it is their turn,” Ms Harget said.

“There’s a strong appetite out there, our open homes have been frantically busy and all of our new properties have been receiving pre-auction offers. It’s nice that people will [soon] be able to move freely and attend open homes and auctions.”

Mr Barr urged Canberrans to “remain the same” and asked businesses to complete a COVID-safe plan and ensure there were measures in place to maintain the one-person-per-four-square-metres rule.

“Maintaining good hand hygiene, keeping 1.5 metres apart and staying at home if unwell should now be part of our lives, and we are asking Canberrans to continue these principles as we move through the coming weeks,” Mr Barr said.

ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said part of stage 3 of the recovery plan would come into effect from July 10, however the ACT government would release more information on what that entailed in coming weeks.