Good Afternoon, Our rule for Open Houses is that we, Florida Realtors(r) and the Surgeon General for the State of Florida are recommending that Open Houses still not be held! Florida Realtors(r) was contacted by Florida's Surgeon General, at the start of the "Safer at Home" Executive Order, they were advised to ask our Realtors to refrain from holding in-person open houses. In response, many MLSs including ours disabled the open house feature. Now that Phase I of Florida's reopening is here, we know that our members are eager to resume hosting in-person open houses. Florida's Surgeon General volunteered to work with Florida Realtors to establish guidelines on how to conduct an open house safely amidst COVID-19. Florida Realtors(r) hope to publish this new direction by the end of this week. At present, Florida Realtors(r) and our stances has not changed as we continue to recommend members not hold open houses. We still encourage our members to use "Live streaming" or a virtual open house in lieu of holding in-person open houses. Buyers and sellers have also expressed concerns over in-person open houses by sellers refusing to allow open houses and buyers refusing to attend open houses. Some sellers have even taken their house off the market until COVID-19 has past. Once the new guidelines are published by Florida's Surgeon General and Florida Realtors(r), our MLS will review the guidelines and issue their decision. Their decision will be immediately communicated to you the member. If a Realtor(r) decides to hold an open house they would in effect be in violation of the Governor's Executive Order and be subject to the fines and penalties provided. In addition, if they hold an open house and do not follow the CDC guidelines and the social distancing rules they would face additional fines and penalties. I know this particular aspect of the COVID-19 has been difficult for everyone. But it has been necessary to protect you, the sellers and the buyers. Stay safe and practice social distancing! Thank you, Victor Victor J. Raymos, RCE, CRS, ABR Association Executive/CEO St. Augustine / St. Johns County Board of Realtors ae@stjohnsrealtors.com<mailto:ae@stjohnsrealtors.com> Phone: 904-829-8738 Fax: 904-823-9512