Open homes and live auctions allowed in the ACT from this weekend

Buying and selling homes in the ACT will be able to return to some level of normalcy from this weekend, with the ACT Government today announcing a range of relaxed COVID-19 restrictions.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced that from Saturday May 9, real estate open houses and auctions in the ACT will be able to go ahead once again, with a maximum of 10 people.

All auctions and open homes were forced to be cancelled from March 25 as part of social distancing measures put in place by the federal government to stop the spread of COVID-19. Since then, agents have been restricted to inspections via private appointments or video chat, and online auctions.

And Canberrans will also get to enjoy a range of other relaxed measures from this weekend, just in time for Mother’s Day, including:

- all indoor and outdoor gatherings can have a maximum of 10 people (including children).

- weddings can now have up to 10 people attend, excluding those conducting the ceremony.

- indoor funerals can have up to 20 people attend, excluding those conducting the service, or outdoor funerals can have up to 30 people attend.

- religious ceremonies and places of worship can have up to 10 people attend, excluding those conducting the service.

- outdoor boot camps and other non-contact fitness activities can be held with a maximum of 10 people and no sharing of equipment.

- public schools will return to on-campus learning in stages over four weeks from Monday 18 May.