The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has asked all Ontario real-estate agents to stop holding open houses.
Following the province's announcement of a COVID-19 state of emergency, OREA president Sean Morrison says realtors must cancel any planned and future open houses.
"If a client has an urgent need to sell or buy a home during the COVID-19 crisis, there are other real estate tools that Realtors can use for showing a property," Morrison said in a statement.
Realtors are being encouraged to use technology such as virtual home tours, video conference calls and electronic signatures in an effort to work remotely and support social distancing efforts.
Across the province, real estate companies, brokerages and local real estate boards have asked their members to follow government recommendations, practice sensible social distancing and end open houses until the state of emergency is lifted.
Many businesses and organizations have adjusted work protocols after Premier Doug Ford announced a provincial state of emergency. Many municipalities across Ontario have also declared a state of emergency.