What happens if your client or close contact tests positive for COVID-19?

If being in the midst of a global pandemic wasn’t enough, with BC’s historically busy housing market, REALTORS® are operating under extenuating circumstances and are faced with balancing health and safety with serving their clients best interests.

As a result of COVID-19, you have adapted your practices to ensure your clients and the community at large remains safe. But despite your efforts, we have heard that one question remains on your mind…

…. what happens if one of my clients or someone at a showing tests positive for COVID-19?

We have consulted with public health officials to put together this Q&A for your reference, but before reading further, it is important to know that the information that follows is meant to be informative and helpful but should not substitute guidance from your managing broker and/or public health advice.

If you have questions regarding your practice, contact your managing broker. For questions that require specific public health guidance, contact your doctor and/or call HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1.

What happens if my client, someone at a showing or one of their close contacts tests positive for COVID-19?

Once a person tests positive for COVID-19, they will be contacted by public health as soon as possible.  An assessment will be completed by phone and will include questions about where the person was in the two weeks before symptoms began or when they got tested.  There are also questions about who that person was in contact with during their infectious period, when COVID-19 is transmissible. 

Will someone contact me to let me know about the positive test?

A Realtor will only be contacted if they are named as a close contact by the person who tests positive. It is important to know that your client, or anyone who tests positive, is not obligated to share their positive test result with you. It is the responsibility of public health to notify the Realtor of the close contact exposure. 

What do I do if I get contacted?

If you are named as a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19 and you are contacted by public health, you will then need to begin to isolate immediately. This might mean leaving work or wherever you might be and heading straight home. 

Do I need to contact others if I have potentially been exposed to COVID-19?

If you have not tested positive for COVID-19, you are not required to contact your own close contacts, but you may choose to out of an abundance of caution. Public health officials are responsible for contacting close contacts and advising when to self-isolate.

Should I get tested for COVID-19 if I’m identified as a close contact?

If you develop symptoms after a known exposure, you should get a COVID-19 test.  You can find information about accessing and booking a test on the BCCDC website, your local health authority website, or by calling 811. 

As part of the contact notification call, public health officials may advise you to get a test even if you are asymptomatic. Otherwise, during isolation, you should be self-monitoring for symptoms.

BCREA recognizes the effort Realtors have made to make the community’s health and safety a top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to continually review our Safer Showings Guidelines and to stay up to date with public health guidance.

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