by Baldev S. Gill, Chief Executive Officer
As the outbreak of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, continues to evolve, we wanted to reach out to you on behalf of the FVREB team to update you on actions we are taking to ensure you continue to receive as much support from your board as you need at this unusual and stressful time.
Foremost in our thoughts is the protection of the health and safety of our team members, while ensuring we continue to support our members, in a safe and reliable a manner.
We want to stress that while we have been fortunate that there have been no reported cases of COVID-19 linked to FVREB at this time, in keeping with the advice and guidance from health authorities, as well as our own abundance of caution, it is imperative we take proactive steps now, to reduce the risk of the virus spreading further.
Accordingly, to limit contact through social distancing, following close consultation and in collaboration with other Boards including the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV), we are temporarily closing the FVREB office as of end of day tomorrow, Thursday March 19. Our team will immediately transition to working remotely as of Friday, March 20.
Secondly, we want to assure you that we are taking proactive steps to ensure our teams are set up to be functional and able to provide you with the support and resources you need from us. We are determined to minimize any disruption of our services to you.
We have set up a FVREB COVID-19 task force that will evaluate and assess developments on an ongoing basis and make certain that the FVREB responds accordingly. We will continue to keep you updated as needed.
Specifically, until further notice:
- staff will facilitate virtual web-based meetings for Board committees and members;
- instructors will be presenting courses and lab classes online;
- general lockbox purchases will not be available, but will be handled on a case-by-case basis;
- we have set-up a dedicated COVID-19 updates section on REALTOR Link® here, and on Paragon here, for the latest developments on this issue as they relate to you and our industry; and
- we will also continue to keep our social media feeds updated with the latest information as this situation progresses.
Thirdly, we need those of you who are members of our broker community to check that your email addresses are updated so that we can continue to email invoices to you, enabling you to pay them online.
We will continue to pay careful attention to this continuously evolving situation and promptly comply with any international, federal, provincial or local governmental recommendations.
Please look after yourselves, your loved ones, and your neighbours – if we help each other, take the recommended precautions about contact with each other, and allow our health care system to take care of those who are ill, we will defeat COVID 19 – together.