Workplace Updates: Santa Clara County Health Order, Workforce Vaccination Status, Mask Guidance, and more…

June 23, 2021

In the past several weeks, multiple announcements impacting COVID-19 safety regulations in the workplace have been released.   In addition to the June 15th lifting of capacity limits and physical distancing under “Reopening California” and the June 17th revision of the Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards ending face mask requirements in the workplace for fully vaccinated employees, the County of Santa Clara announced on June 21st that the latest Local Health Order regulating COVID-19 vaccination data for businesses will be phased out.

The May 18th Local Health Order required all businesses in Santa Clara County to determine the vaccination status of their personnel and to follow up every two weeks with those who had not yet indicated they were fully vaccinated. According to the latest announcement, the County’s May 18th order currently remains in place only for businesses that have not yet completed two rounds of “ascertainment of vaccination status” of their personnel — a first-round for all personnel and a second round for those who did not indicate they were fully vaccinated. An employee is considered fully vaccinated if they completed their vaccination series at least 14 days ago.

What does this mean as an employer?
As of June 21st, once a business completes the second round of ascertainment of vaccination status, the May 18th order no longer applies and they are no longer required to follow up every two weeks with personnel who are not fully vaccinated.

After 15 months of compliance with differing local, state, and federal guidelines, all local jurisdictions now direct employers to follow the updated Cal/OSHA standards and guidance from the State of California.

Updated Guidelines on Face Coverings

  • As of June 18, 2021, Realtors and members of the public are no longer required to wear masks at open houses and property showings if fully vaccinated.
  • A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
  • Those not fully vaccinated are required to wear masks.
  • Listing agents do not need to request proof of vaccination status.

Guidelines and Restrictions for Open Houses and Showings

  • No physical distancing for attendees, guests, and customers
  • No capacity limits (for gatherings under 5,000 attendees)
  • No cleaning requirements (However, CalOSHA recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, faucets, countertops, etc…)
  • No PEADs or any type of sign-in required
  • No posted rules of entry or signage needed for listed properties
  • No one will have to attest to their current health status
  • No one will have to agree to an office prevention plan
  • No restrictions on door-knocking and distribution of promotional materials, including flyers and business cards.

Brokerage Office Guidelines

  • Offices are no longer required to observe social distancing or capacity limits, but employees who are not fully vaccinated must follow mask guidelines in the workplace.
  • Employees who are not fully vaccinated may request respirators for voluntary use from their employers at no cost and without fear of retaliation from their employers.
  • Employers must document the vaccination status of fully vaccinated employees if they do not wear face coverings indoors.
  • As stated above, the County of Santa Clara has phased out the May 18th Local Health Order.  Once a business completes two rounds to ascertain the vaccination status of employees, employers are no longer required to request vaccination status on an ongoing basis.
  • Businesses must maintain appropriate records to demonstrate completion of two rounds of ascertainment, in compliance with the Local Health Order.
  • View the complete June 21 Local Health Order, where you will also find Recommendations from the County Health Officer specifically for businesses under Item #5.

Continue to follow SCCAOR updates as guidelines continue to evolve. Updates will continue to occur and will be posted to the Transactions Resource Center in real-time.


Click below for additional resources:

June 15th Statewide Reopening Guidance for Real Estate Industry

June 15, 2021

The Blueprint for a Safer Economy and the Stay-at-Home Order have been rescinded and California is now entering the “Beyond the Blueprint” phase, fully reopening the economy.  Effective June 15, 2021, restrictions such as physical distancing, capacity limits and the county tier system have ended.  A relaxed mask guidance for vaccinated Californians to match the CDC’s guidance has also taken effect and will supersede all prior face coverings guidance.

Guidelines and Restrictions on Face Coverings

  • Although a relaxed mask guidance for the general public has taken effect on the 15th, Cal/OSHA – the department that sets and enforces standards to protect the health and safety of working Californians – will meet on Thursday, June 17th, to determine mask guidance in the workplace.
  • SCCAOR advises all agents and members of the general public to take a cautious approach and continue to wear masks in showings and brokerage offices until Cal/OSHA meets again on Thursday, June 17th, and provides further clarity.

Guidelines and Restrictions for Open Houses and Showings

  • No physical distancing for attendees, guests, and customers
  • No capacity limits (for gatherings under 5,000 attendees)
  • No cleaning requirements (However, CalOSHA recommends cleaning high touch surfaces such as door knobs, handrails, faucets, countertops, etc…)
  • No PEADs or any type of sign-in required
  • No posted rules of entry or signage needed for listed properties
  • No one will have to attest to their current health status
  • No one will have to agree to an office prevention plan
  • No restrictions on door-knocking and distribution of promotional materials, including flyers and business cards

 

Can a seller require that everyone entering the property wear a mask or be vaccinated?

  • Yes. The selling party can set stricter requirements for showing property
  • The seller can:
    • require all visitors to wear a mask
    • require all visitors to be vaccinated or show a negative COVID test
    • implement a vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.
    • provide information to all visitors regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.

Contact C.A.R. Member Legal Services at (213) 739-8282 for additional guidance and visit the C.A.R. June 15th Reopening page for answers to frequently asked questions.

Brokerage Office Guidelines

  • Brokerage offices are still required to maintain a written COVID-19 Prevention Plan to identify areas and activities that could expose workers to COVID, have a process to screen workers, and train workers about COVID prevention and safety
  • Physical distancing is still required in offices
  • Santa Clara County remains under the May18th Local Health Order that requires businesses to ascertain the vaccination status of all “personnel” but will otherwise adhere to the state’s reopening guidelines

Continue to follow SCCAOR updates as guidelines continue to evolve. Updates will continue to occur and will be made real time to the Transactions Resource Center.

Click below for additional resources:

SCCAOR-Sponsored Broker Tours Are Back!

May 24, 2021 

SCCAOR-Sponsored Broker Tours Are Back!

As Santa Clara County enters the Yellow Tier under California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, a new Local Health Order has been implemented on the County level, removing many previous restrictions. 

As a result of this new information, SCCAOR-sponsored Broker Tours will resume on May 25th, with certain restrictions. Please note, that similar to the beginning of the pandemic, this is a dynamic situation.  SCCAOR will continue to update you as showing rules are amended. 

Important Information Regarding Broker Tours

  • Broker Tours should be treated as “open houses” under the new C.A.R. Industry Guidelines.  Highlights include, but are not limited to, the following:  
    • A representative of the listing must be present to monitor sign-in documents, collect PEAD Forms, and follow other regulations.
    • All visitors must sign in with either a new PSI Form, PEAD-All, or PEAD-V.
    • All visitors must wear masks and comply with other sanitary protocols.
    • Capacity Limitations must be followed according to Yellow Tier specifications.
  • In alignment with the new C.A.R. Guidance on Showing Property Requirements, Brokers are required to obtain seller authorization to list the property on tour.
  • Caravans are permitted but are limited to single households in each vehicle.  Multiple families are not permitted to carpool in the same vehicle.  
  • Marketing Meetings will remain fully virtual until further notice.
  • New and updated forms are now available via zipForm. 

Click below for additional resources:

Santa Clara County Market Stats – March 2021

SCCAOR Source: A new app to showcase SCCAOR Affiliates

 

 

The printed Community Directory will be released in the near future and the app is live now!

Get to Know Jennifer Taylor: SCCAOR’s Membership Coordinator

Jennifer Taylor has joined SCCAOR as our new Membership Coordinator.

“I am thankful to be a part of the SCCAOR Team,” Taylor said. “I’m looking forward to building relationships by assisting members and colleagues with their needs in order for everyone to be successful.”

Jennifer grew up in the South Bay and has lived in Aptos for the past 6 years, currently residing just a few blocks from the beach. She studied Child Development and earned her General Education degree from Cabrillo College. She is a big fan of musicals and has attended several performances at the Cabrillo Stage in Aptos.

Prior to joining SCCAOR, she worked in the hotel industry and vacation rental industry.

“My hospitality and property management experience has really helped me make the transition to this new role,” she said. “I love working with people and making their day.”

Jennifer will work alongside our Membership Team to help new members join SCCAOR and assist current members with anything related to their Association membership.

“We are happy to have Jennifer as our new Membership Coordinator,” said Kimberly Hernandez, Member Services Manager. “She has already proven to be a great addition and I am confident that she will strengthen our Membership team and Association as a whole.”

In her free time, Jennifer enjoys ballroom dancing, which she has been doing for the past 7 years. She also likes going to rock concerts and has attended many.

“I am a huge live music fan,” Taylor said. I’m really excited to start going to live shows again once COVID has passed.”

General Membership Meeting Recap

On November 20, 2020, we hosted our final General Membership Meeting of the year. It featured a Market Forecast by C.A.R.’s Deputy Chief Economist, Jordan Levine, as well as updates from NAR, C.A.R., and MLSListings. Thank you to everyone who attended. If you missed the program, or you would like to rewatch it, we have just posted a video of the event and you can watch a recording below. You can also click here to download a copy of Jordan Levine’s Market Forecast slides.

 

 

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SCCAOR Endorsed Local Measures

SCCAOR Supports MEASURE S Santa Clara Valley Water District Parcel Tax 2/3 Vote

 Safe, Clean Water, and Natural Flood Protection Program. 

Measure Language: 

“Shall the measure to renew the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program which ensures public health and safety by:

  • protecting the drinking water supply, dams from earthquakes and climate change; 
  • reducing pollution, toxins, and contaminants in waterways; and 
  • providing flood protection; 

by renewing Santa Clara Valley Water District’s existing parcel tax without increasing rates, averaging $.006 per square foot annually as described in Resolution 20-64 until ended by voters, raising approximately $45,500,000 annually, with qualifying senior exemption, annual audits, independent citizen oversight be adopted?”

 

While this is the only local ballot measure that SCCAOR has taken a position on, we encourage you to review the full list of local ballot measures.

List of Local Measures

SCCAOR Opposes Prop 21

Proposition 21 is a statewide initiative on the November 3, 2020 ballot. Prop 21 would repeal portions of the state’s existing rental housing laws (Costa Hawkins) and open the door for extreme forms of rent control to be enacted at the local level. It is nearly identical to 2018’s Prop 10, which voters rejected by nearly 20 points.

Proposition 21 would allow for permanent price caps on all forms of housing, including single-family homes and condos. Independent academic experts from Stanford and UC Berkeley agree that policies like Prop 21 discourage new construction and reduce the availability of affordable and middle-class housing, driving up rents for many Californians.

It would also allow cities to remove “vacancy decontrol” which allows a housing provider to raise the rent on a unit to market rate when a tenant moves out. Eliminating this penalizes those housing providers who work collaboratively with their tenants keeping rents below market rate.

No on Prop 21 Website Donate to No on Prop 21 Campaign

Get to Know Steve Gonzalez: SCCAOR’s Production Coordinator

We are happy to announce that Steve Gonzalez has joined SCCAOR as our new Production Coordinator. Working under our Director of Member Engagement, Spencer High, Steve will be continuing our headshot and video member benefit (currently taking a waitlist), as well as assisting with the implementation of live streaming for SCCAOR classes and events.

“I am truly excited to start a new journey with the SCCAOR family,” said Gonzalez. “It has been interesting to start this journey during a global pandemic, and I am blessed to have been with SCCAOR. So far everyone has been welcoming with my start and I cannot wait to continue growing with the team.”

Steve attended the CSU Monterey Bay where he got his degree as a Recording Technician. He has been a lifestyle photographer for the past five years. Before joining SCCAOR, he worked as a Multimedia Specialist for Lighthouse Church where he produced video and photo projects and also managed the live streaming of their weekly service.

“My time in college and work that I have done since graduating has really helped me with planning as well as approaching all projects with a creative mind,” he said. “I have a passion for problem-solving and producing high-quality work for all of my clients.”

While the SCCAOR Office remains closed to members due to COVID-19, members can sign up to join the waitlist on the Studio page of our website. When our office re-opens, we will be opening up Studio appointments for our members on the waitlist. We will be taking great precautions to ensure that we can provide these member benefits in the safest way possible.

“Steve is a great photographer and content creator with a sharp eye for detail,” said Spencer High. “I look forward to working with him to re-open our studio services for our members as well as developing a great live streaming experience when we eventually open up our in-person classes.”

In his free time, Steve enjoys biking and traveling.

“One of my favorite places in the world is Yosemite National Park,” he said. “I love to hike and one of my future goals is to hike Half Dome.”