As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve in our region and across the country, the potential impact of this situation on the health and well-being of our GCAAR members is a top concern. To that end, we want to provide you with some very important updates and tell you about the precautions we’re taking in order to mitigate any effects from the virus on our GCAAR community, while at the same time ensuring that we continue to provide top-notch member services to meet your needs.
Temporary Closure of our Washington, DC Office
We have just learned that one of the employees in another business within our Washington, DC building, located at 1615 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, has reported its first suspected case of coronavirus. The employee is in the hospital and currently being tested for the virus, with test results expected on Monday.
For this reason, we are temporarily closing our Washington, DC office until Tuesday, March 17 out of an abundance of caution.
In the meantime, the entire affected commercial space will be shut down and disinfected, as well as all elevators, common areas and “high-touch” surfaces throughout the building. We will re-evaluate our DC office closure after the test results come in.
GCAAR Special Events and Classes
In light of the state of emergency that has now been declared in both Maryland and the District of Columbia,
we have made the difficult decision to postpone all of our upcoming classes and events through March 31
, which includes our GCAAR Recognition Awards ceremony scheduled for Monday, March 23. We believe this to be in the best interest of our members, as we do not want to unnecessarily compromise the health of those in attendance. Further, for our awards event, in particular, we want it to be a joyful occasion where all of you can be present to celebrate the achievements of your peers.
Classes are postponed in both our Rockville and Washington, DC offices.
GCAAR’s Member Services Area and Physical Precautions
While GCAAR’s Member Services Area in DC is temporarily closed until Tuesday, our Rockville Member Services Area remains open, and our staff is ready to assist. However, for the safety of our Member Services team, if you are not feeling well we invite you to instead contact us by phone at 301-590-2000 or by email at
memberservices@gcaar.com
. You are welcome to call ahead to find out if items are in stock before you come in. As always, we will be happy to do whatever we can to serve you.
Per CDC guidelines, we also are frequently wiping down all surfaces in our store and in public areas, as well as in our staff area, and we are keeping the doors open as much as possible to promote air circulation.
GCAAR Committee Meetings
We are working with our GCAAR committee chairs who still have March meetings on the calendar to either postpone them until April or consider other options. If you are on a GCAAR committee and have an upcoming meeting, please be on the lookout for an email from your committee chair with more details.
We will continue to monitor and re-evaluate this situation as it develops, and we’ll update you as soon as we have new dates for our events, classes and meetings.
Resources for REALTORS
As you go about your daily business activities, be sure to review the
“Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®”
published recently by the National Association of REALTORS®, which contains useful information regarding how this outbreak may impact the real estate industry.
General Precautions and Coronavirus Updates
Find out the latest news related to the coronavirus on the CDC’s website, which features a continuously updated
FAQ
.
Please also take a moment to read the following proactive actions you can take to prevent the spread of illnesses, including coronavirus and the seasonal flu:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we address this important issue.
