*This article was edited June 15, 2020 to reflect Phase Two updates.

Northern Virginia entered Phase Two of reopening on Friday, June 12.

The rest of Virginia, excluding the City of Richmond, entered Phase Two on Friday, June 5 under Executive Order 65, which was issued on Tuesday, June 2.

Executive Order 65 introduces “Safer at Home: Phase Two Guidelines for All Business Sectors” (Guidelines) which provide best practices that all businesses, including real estate, must follow. The general guidelines for business remain the same from Phase One to Phase Two. Phase Two focuses on social gatherings and specific industries such as restaurants and other dining establishments, non-essential brick and mortar retail businesses, and other businesses that were previously closed under other Executive Orders. One key difference under Executive Order 65 is that public and private in-person gatherings are now limited to no more than 50 individuals.

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Governor Northam issued Executive Order 61 on Friday, May 8, 2020 and Executive Order 62 on Tuesday, May 12 (amended May 14). These Executive Orders contain information on the start of reopening Virginia.

While Executive Order 61 outlined “Phase 1” of easing restrictions, Executive Order 62 addressed localities that were not ready to move into Phase 1 because of infection rates – which included localities in Northern Virginia. Inclusion in Executive Order 62 was at the request of each locality. As a result, Northern Virginia’s Phase 1 was delayed until Friday, May 29.

On May 26, Governor Northam issued Executive Order 63, which requires Virginians to wear face coverings in public indoor settings.

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Phase Two Implications for NVAR Realtors®:

• Executive Order 65 does not change how Realtors® conduct business. The only part of Executive Order 65 or the Guidelines that changes for all businesses is the increase in the number of individuals who are allowed at a single gathering.
• NVAR and Virginia Realtors® still strongly recommend that members not hold in-person open houses at this time as it will still be nearly impossible to ensure the requirements of the Executive Orders limiting in-person gatherings, social distancing, and increased sanitation can be met.
• Realtors® who are going into retail spaces, or any of the indoor settings outlined in Executive Order 63, are required to wear face coverings – unless they meet the exemption guidelines included in the order.

Learn more about how these Executive Orders impact your business and business practices by clicking here for the Virginia Realtors® "Government Response and Executive Order FAQs."

NVAR Member Services:

• NVAR will begin hosting events in-person at the Fairfax headquarters with appropriate social distancing measures starting the week of June 15, with the option of attending virtually. Stay tuned for more details as these events are scheduled.
• We have expanded our hours for drive-up service for large bulk online purchase pick-up or lockbox assistance to 5 days a week. (By appointment only; email membership@nvar.com to schedule.)
  • Mondays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Tuesdays 11 a.m. -3 p.m.
  • Wednesdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Thursdays 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Fridays 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Pick-up via Realtor® Hub locker continues to be available. Learn more here.
• The NVAR Herndon Center will remain temporarily closed.