Cases are surging across California one month after the state lifted most pandemic restrictions. California’s positivity rate jumped from 0.08 percent to 3 percent, and new cases increased 90 percent from July 9 to July 16. 

In response to the surge, more California communities are recommending a return to indoor mask wearing for everyone, not just the unvaccinated. Los Angeles — which has been recording more than 1,000 new cases a day for over a week — reinstituted its indoor mask policy, and counties such as Sacramento and San Francisco are recommending everyone mask up inside public buildings. As we shared last week, LA  and Yolo County are requiring masking. For more you can go here. Here are the implications for real estate. 

Masking requirements mandated by the county apply to showing rules and open houses. Please follow your county guidelines as to conducting real estate. There are no current plans or requirements to use the PEADS or PRE forms. The only change that this impacts is masking requirements.

The general rule for real estate offices is that you do not have to require masking if a person is vaccinated. You have the right to ask the person of their vaccination status and you can ask for proof. You can use the honor system/self attestation. For those of you with W2 employees – you must keep a record of their vaccination status. This rule is in place anywhere there are not more stringent guidelines as in the case for Los Angeles County. Please check your local area mandates for more up to date information.