Archived: Ontario Real Estate Advisory During Step Two Restrictions (January 2022)

Status: Archived for historical reference only. This information reflects Ontario public health measures and real estate operating guidance that applied at the time. It is not current guidance.

Effective date referenced: January 3, 2022. During Ontario’s modified Step Two public health measures, real estate activity was permitted to continue with limitations. We are retaining this page for transparency and historical context, particularly for clients reviewing timelines and decisions made during that period.

What This Meant for Buyers, Sellers, and Landlords

Open houses
Open houses were not permitted during this phase.

In-person showings
In-person showings were allowed by appointment only and were expected to follow applicable public health rules and guidelines in effect at that time.

Impact on Real Estate Brokerages and Showings

As an essential service, real estate brokerages were permitted to operate with safeguards in place. Measures referenced at the time included:

• Face coverings
  Masks or face coverings were required for individuals entering real estate offices, attending showings, or entering indoor spaces related to a transaction.
• Active screening
  Brokerages were required to screen staff entering the workplace. Screening for clients and attendees at showings was strongly encouraged to reduce risk.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  PPE for eyes, nose, and mouth was required for workers who needed to come within two metres of an individual not wearing a mask indoors and who were not separated by a physical barrier.

Short-Term Rentals

• Short-term rentals were permitted only for individuals in need of housing.
• This restriction did not apply to hotels, motels, lodges, resorts, student residences, or shared accommodation.
• It did apply to cabins and cottages.

Additionally, amenities at short-term rentals were required to remain closed during this phase, including:

• Indoor pools
• Steam rooms and saunas
• Indoor whirlpools
• Fitness centres and other indoor recreational facilities

Why We Keep This Archived

For buyers, sellers, landlords, and investors across Barrie, Innisfil, and Simcoe County, these measures affected how transactions were structured, timed, and completed. Understanding past regulatory environments can provide context when reviewing decisions and timelines from that period.

Our role is advisory: helping clients navigate real estate within the broader regulatory, health, and market framework.

For the full list of health measures as they stood at the time, guidance was provided by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA).

Current Guidance and Next Steps

If you have questions about how regulatory changes, past or present, may affect your real estate plans or obligations, connect with the MovingSimcoe.com Team.

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Disclaimer: This page is archived historical information and is not legal, medical, or regulatory advice. Requirements and guidance changed frequently during this period. Always verify current rules with official government sources and qualified professionals.