30th July 2020 / Prue Fletcher: Face Coverings: Keeping Our Community Safe

Last week, the Victorian Government introduced the mandatory wearing of face masks in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

As we continue to do everything we can here at Fletchers to keep our community safe, below are some helpful guidelines so that we can all work together, continuing to move around safely, within the Real Estate space.

When engaging in real estate activities related to selling, buying or leasing property during lockdown, official directions provided by the REIV state that government protocols must be followed by:

• Residents of the area
• Individuals working in the area, either in an office or at a property located in the area, and
• Individuals inspecting a property in the area

We also ask that if you are attending a private viewing of one of our sales or rental properties or visiting a Fletchers office, you please adhere to the following rules:

• All person(s) attending a private inspection must wear a face mask, unless you are exempt from this requirement. Please also ensure you adhere to strict social distancing measures of 1 person per 4 square metres. Fletchers agents have the right to refuse entry to a premises if any visitors are presenting with physical symptoms or are not wearing a face mask.

For online auctions, current directions require face coverings to be worn when you leave home, unless exemptions apply:

• The exception stating 'persons who professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth' allows for auctioneers to remove the face covering when calling an auction. You must make sure you use a mask immediately before and after the auction.
• The rules require people in an office to wear a mask unless specific conditions apply.

Please note, some exemptions apply, such as for children under the age of 12 and those who suffer from medical conditions, such as asthma. You can read the full list of exemptions here.

For more handy tips during COVID-19, please see below:

• How to fit my mask correctly
• Handy tips if you have a beard or wear glasses
• DIY Tutorial on how to make a face covering (DHHS)
• Step by Step instructions for making a cloth face mask (DHHS)
• Safely taking off and disposing of face masks (DHHS)

As we continue to support small businesses across metropolitan Melbourne, below is a curated list on where you can buy a selection of face coverings to suit all different personalities:

• Ulo Australia: ULO means 'Home' in the native language of the Igbo people in Nigeria, West Africa and their prints are designed to bring COLOUR & JOY into our lives.
• Engage Athletic: Three-layer Melbourne made contoured face mask with breathable, water repellent outer layer. Custom printed with your colour/s and logo, perfect for any business looking to uniform the front line.
• B Inspired Canterbury: A collection of Polka Dots, Animal Prints and just about everything
• Coco & Chloe: Local Maling Road trader, pre orders for delivery 8th August
• Imane: Accredited Aborignal Designs, including artists like the great Audrey Napanangka

For more information please visit dhhs.vic.gov.au