The state has added commercial and residential real estate showings and a few other services to its list of essential business functions.

Real estate brokerage operations had previously been considered nonessential under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s PAUSE order issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But on Wednesday, Empire State Development directed that real estate showings, appraisal services, home inspections and back-office real estate work are essential effective immediately, according to a statement from the New York State Association of Realtors.

NYSAR and a few other real estate trade groups had appealed to the governor’s office to consider their industry as essential.

According to the governor’s directive, “essential businesses must continue to comply with the guidance and directives for maintaining a clean and safe work environment issued by the Department of Health and every business, even if essential, is strongly urged to maintain social distance to the extent possible.”

“On behalf of the Long Island commercial brokerage community and members, we stand ready to serve the medical/industrial and other COVID-19 strategic clients to help combat this pandemic,” said David Leviton, president of the Commercial Industrial Brokers Society of Long Island, who lobbied Albany on the matter. “As the physical locations for the delivery and administration of medical/warehouse services will need to be significantly expanded over the next weeks and months, the brokerage community will do its part ensure the acquisition or leasing of additional space is seamless, as not to hinder essential services.”

NYSAR President Jennifer Stevenson said the real estate industry has been given “a great responsibility in this time of crisis” to help meet the needs of New York’s residential and commercial property buyers and owners and the overall welfare of the local and state economy.

“But our priority must be to the safety of our customers, clients and indeed for ourselves, as we all continue to practice socially responsible distancing that is helping to flatten the curve during this national health crisis. Our mantra must be ‘safety first, work second,” Stevenson said in the statement.

Not all residential brokers were not happy about the essential business designation and some took to social media to express their opposition. One veteran broker said on Facebook that she “wasn’t going to risk her life to show a house.” And a brokerage firm based in the Town of Huntington posted this comment on Instagram: “Completely irresponsible and reckless move by NYSAR! We are the epicenter of this pandemic that’s on its way to the apex. Thousands more will now be at risk!”