4/29/20: FAQs for Updated Health Order
The San Francisco Health Officer has updated the FAQ for COVID-19:
P. 1
- Commercial as well as residential real estate transactions are allowed to fully resume, but with continued restrictions on in-person viewings and appointments. [See p. 25]
P. 2
- All business facilities operating in the County, including businesses carrying out minimum basic operations, must comply with the requirement to create a Social Distancing Protocol.
- In their Social Distancing Protocols, businesses must now ensure that personnel and customers wear face coverings when entering their facilities (except those customers for whom face coverings are not recommended, like young children).
- All residential moves are now allowed to proceed.
P. 4
Is a building that has “Essential Businesses” as tenants required to create and post a social distancing protocol? Or is it the responsibility of the business tenants themselves?
It is the responsibility of tenant essential businesses to comply with the social distancing requirements, including creating and posting a social distancing protocol.
I heard that there is a statewide shelter-in-place order. Do I still need to comply with San Francisco’s Order?
Yes. In addition to the statewide order, the City Health Officer’s Order remains in effect. All residents must comply with the restrictions in both orders. If the restrictions in the two orders are different, you must comply with the stricter of the two orders.
P. 5
How do I report a business or organization that might be violating the Order and endangering the public or its employees?
Call 311….
P. 10
What about common areas in apartments, like shared laundry rooms, that residents need to access for sanitation needs?
Apartment residents should be allowed to access facilities that are required for household cleaning and sanitation needs. Owners of apartment buildings must enhance cleaning of high-touch surfaces in these areas, and residents must observe all social distancing requirements in the Order, including maintaining at least 6 feet of separation from other people who are not part of their own household; washing their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds before and after use of the facilities (or using hand sanitizer); coughing or sneezing into a tissue or sleeve (not their hands); wearing a face covering when out in public; and avoiding using the laundry facility if they are sick.
P. 25
Can real estate agents show residences or commercial properties in person?
Generally, no. Real estate agents, escrow agents, and other service providers that facilitate real estate transactions like home sales, apartment rentals, and (beginning on May 4, commercial properties) are essential workers, but all appointments and viewings must happen virtually (via video or livestream). If a virtual viewing is not possible, then a single photographer or videographer is permitted to visit the property once to take photographs and/or video. This should be done at a time when the occupant is not present in the residence. If these options are not possible, then in-person showings can occur by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time from the same household, and only one agent showing the property. In-person showings or walk-throughs are not allowed when the occupant is present in the residence. Commercial viewings (which can commence on May 4), should be limited to the minimum number of persons possible.
Are the following people permitted to operate under the Order as service providers that enable residential transactions:
Real estate inspectors and appraisers?
Yes, inspectors and appraisers are necessary to enable residential real estate transactions to occur.
Real estate photographers?
Yes, real estate photographers are necessary to enable virtual viewings and marketing to occur.
Can I move into a new house/apartment?
Until May 4, you can move into a new house or apartment only in a few circumstances:
- If the move was pre-planned and it is not possible to defer it;
- If the move is necessary to preserve access to shelter;
- If the move is necessary to avoid domestic violence or child abuse;
- If the move is necessitated by safety, sanitation, or habitability reasons.
Beginning on May 4, residential moves are allowed under the Order.
P. 26
If moving into or out of the Bay Area region, individuals are strongly urged to quarantine for 14 days.
I am a landlord for a unit where each of the tenants has a separate lease for a bedroom, and they share living, dining, and bathroom space. One of the bedrooms is vacant, and the others are occupied. Can I execute a lease and move in a new tenant into the vacant room?
No. Involuntary changes to the members of a household, or to the composition of individuals in a dormitory or shared bedroom setting, are not permitted at this time.
P. 31
If I’m outside San Francisco travelling for vacation or business, am I allowed to come home?
Yes, the Order allows you to come home. But you may need to self-isolate for 14 days if you were possibly exposed to COVID-19.
