Governor Announces Real Estate is Essential

Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order on March 31 setting a statewide standard for essential services that may continue to be provided, including residential and commercial real estate. Read Gov. Abbott’s order that utilizes the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines for identifying essential services, which includes real estate highlighted on Page 13. Here are some key points:

• Supersedes existing local orders only where those local orders may have previously restricted essential services or where they were more permissive on gatherings
• Even for essential services, telework or online work should be used as much as possible, limiting in-person contact (following CDC guidelines) unless absolutely necessary

This is a positive step for Texas REALTORS®, as real estate professionals statewide may continue to serve clients while demonstrating care for the health and well-being of the greater public welfare. REALTORS® worked with Gov. Abbott and other industry groups to ensure real estate was an essential service statewide.

Credits: Governor Greg Abbott, Christopher Krebs of CISA

Links:

•  https://www.texasrealestate.com/about-us/newsroom/coronavirus-information-and-updates/elections-legislative-issues/
• https://www.texasrealestate.com/wp-content/uploads/CISA_Guidance_on_the_Essential_Critical_Infrastructure_Workforce_Version_2.0_Updated.pdf
• https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/EO-GA-14_Statewide_Essential_Service_and_Activity_COVID-19_IMAGE_03-31-2020.pdf