Several Richmond condominium developments are moving ahead with inspection and walkthroughs, but one buyer worries about everyone’s safety with COVID-19 in mind.

Aly Assar, a new Richmond condo owner, is wondering why the developer, Wynsgroup Properties, is not delaying the inspection dates for his new condo or at least outlining measures it’s taking to ensure sanitation.

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“The idea of going out and meeting people in-person for checks are almost not in favour right now,” said Assar, adding that the province is “in a time of staying home and staying safe,” with most people not going to work or working from home.

“I expressed my concerns to them twice, and they said if I can’t go or appoint a realtor (for the walkthrough), then I could do it virtually.”

He told the Richmond News he is “all for virtual things,” but when it comes to inspecting his future home, a camera and video just “doesn’t work.”

Delaying walkthroughs, at least until the end of April or mid-May, would allow buyers to “feel relived they aren’t being forced to come out” during the pandemic, according to Assar.

Wynsgroup Properties denied a media request saying, “we are not taking interviews at this time.”

Meanwhile, Andrea Lee Hamilton, corporate communications coordinator of Richmond, said there are no “specific restrictions” on developers organizing condo walkthroughs and that developers are “allowed to operate as long as they can maintain physical distancing.

She cited the provincial website where “any businesses or service that has not been ordered to close and is also not identified on the essential service list may stay open if they can adapt their services and workplace to the orders and recommendations of the Provincial Health Order.”

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