STRENGTHENING OF RESTRICTIONS AGAINST THE COVID IN CO-OWNERSHIP

The information and recommendations provided by the RGCQ are of a general nature. Their application must be adapted to the situation in your co-ownership. We invite you to regularly consult the instructions issued by the various levels of government and to consult the appropriate professionals when necessary.

Strengthening health measures to combat COVID-19 from January 9 to February 8, 2021

Montreal, January 8, 2021 - Following the reinforcement of sanitary measures announced this week, the RGCQ has contacted representatives of several ministries to obtain clarifications regarding their application in co-ownerships. Certain questions still need to be clarified before we can provide you with clear interpretations and recommendations. The decree implementing these new measures will be published in the evening, which will allow us to obtain more information.

Over the next month, it will be especially important to limit contact between people from different households as much as possible. On a day-to-day basis, there are few new restrictions added for condominium syndicates, most of the measures are aimed at individuals.

Curfew

A curfew will be in effect between 8pm and 5am. There are several exceptions. You can consult the list of these exceptions on the government page.

According to the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux, this curfew does not apply in private places, which means that the occupants of condominiums will be able to circulate in the interior or exterior common areas of the property between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. We recommend limiting this traffic to essential displacements within the co-ownership. Condominium administrators have no particular responsibility with respect to the application of the curfew.

Visitors and gatherings

Visits inside and outside private areas are prohibited for visitors from another address. Several exceptions are specified on the government page.

Private gatherings inside and outside are also prohibited.

Maintenance, renovation and construction work

There is no ban on any renovation or construction work nor maintenance tasks for the next few weeks. The construction sector is not confined. All construction sites must comply with current health regulations.

Expertise and inspections

It is still possible to have expert appraisals and inspections carried out by professionals during the next few weeks. In particular, chartered appraisers (évaluateurs agrées who members of the Ordre des évaluateurs agrées du Québec) can continue to carry out evaluations of the cost of rebuilding the building while respecting all the sanitary measures in effect.

Syndicate's employees

Security guards will be able to continue working regardless of the curfew. You can find a sample employer attestation form on this government page for the employee to justify their travel during curfew. Please note that the form is only available in French.

If possible, the Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale recommends that you adapt the work schedules of other employees who must work on site, such as janitors and doormans, to respect the curfew.

Remote work is mandatory for all people working in the syndicate's offices, except for workers whose presence is deemed essential by the employer for the continuation of the organization's activities.

Wearing a mask

The instructions for wearing a mask or face cover have not changed. It is still strongly recommended in common indoor areas, but not mandatory.

Sporting and leisure equipment

We are awaiting clarifications from the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux regarding the guidelines for sporting and leisure equiment as well as the building's amenities.

In the current context, the RGCQ recommends that pools, training rooms, spas and other sporting and leisure equipment in co-ownerships be closed.

Meetings of co-owners

It is always possible to organize remote assemblies (also called virtual assemblies). The RGCQ recommends that you hold your meetings on time using the technological tools at your disposal.

You can consult our two guides on remote meetings to help you prepare your own.

Real estate transactions

The OACIQ has published a guide on the impact of COVID-19 on real estate transactions. We invite you to consult it by following this link.