YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A VACCINE NOW. HERE IS HOW TO CHECK
Local Eligibility: Check the Ontario booking portal for vaccine appointments at covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine to find out the current criteria for the area where you live and, if you qualify, to book an appointment.
If you are 40 and older: you can book appointments at select pharmacies across the province. The link to find your local pharmacy to book an appointment can be found here.
Hot Spot Communities: If you are 18 to 49 and live in a hot spot community, you can get a vaccine through a mobile or pop-up clinic. Click here to find out if your area code is identified as a hot spot community. Mobile and pop-up clinics will be promoted locally by community partners and public health units, starting in Peel and Toronto. You cannot book mobile or pop-up clinics through the provincial booking system right now.
WHAT WE ARE DOING FOR ONTARIO REALTORS®
Throughout the pandemic, our focus has been on keeping you, your clients and Ontario communities safe. We have your back.
To help REALTORS® who are not currently covered by the age or community criteria above, OREA has advocated for REALTORS® to be included on the list of essential workers who will be eligible to get vaccines under Phase Two of the Ontario Vaccination Plan.
OREA has asked the Ontario Government to include real estate professionals under the ‘financial services’ category in the vaccination plan’s second priority group. Bank tellers are currently included in this category.
Earlier phases of the Ontario Vaccination Plan cover health care workers, the elderly, front line essential workers, people who are immunocompromised and others deemed at risk by public health.
We successfully lobbied for REALTORS® to be designated as essential services under the initial regulations related to the COVID-19 crisis. Over the last two months, we have met with senior officials on the Province’s vaccine taskforce and taken steps to educate decision makers about why REALTORS® are essential and cannot work solely from home.
OREA has made the case that some services related to buying and selling a home remain difficult to do virtually as consumers are uncomfortable making such a large financial decision without physically visiting the property in question. In this regard, REALTORS® continue to show properties to clients following guidelines from public health. These activities put them in close contact with many people outside of their home.
While the Province has not made a decision about whether or not to include REALTORS® under the second priority grouping, we are continuing to advocate for the important change and we have been grateful for the support of our local real estate boards in this effort.
We understand that getting a vaccine is a personal decision. For those Members who want a vaccine, we will keep you updated on our efforts.
Sincerely,
David Oikle
OREA President
The trademarks REALTOR®, REALTORS®, and the REALTOR® logo are controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA. Disclaimer. The information contained in this email is not meant to be relied upon as legal advice by REALTORS®, or others. Members wishing further clarity or advice should seek independent legal advice specific to their circumstances. Due to the quickly changing regulatory environment during the COVID-19 emergency, this information may not be current or accurate by the time it is read.
SOURCE: OREA, Ontario Real Estate Association