The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 19,2020 theifp.ca ASK THE PROFESSIONAL 33 Main Street South Acton, ON L7J 1X3 Tel: 519-853-1330 Fax: 519-853-4645 Email: Mark@mchlawyers.com Mark Hilliard Mackenzie Chapman Hilliard Barristers and Solicitors The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional, financial, medical, legal, or other professional advice. We work for you. legal matters Q A REAL ESTATE LAW How might Covid-19 affect closings for a new construction home? In an agreement of Purchase and Sale for a new construction home, there is a Tarion Addendum called a Statement of Critical Dates. There is typically a First Tentative Occupancy Date, a second Tentative Occupancy Date, and a Firm Occupancy Date. If the Vendor cannot complete construction and be ready for the first date, then as long as they give proper notice, they can extend the date two times without being liable for Delayed Closing Compensation. There is also a provision for extending the dates due to "Unavoidable Delay." This is defined as "an event which delays Occupancy which is a strike, fire, explosion, flood, act of God, civil insurrection, act of war, act of terrorism, or pandemic, plus any period of delay directly caused by the event, which are beyond the reasonable control of the Vendor and are not caused or contributed to by the fault of the Vendor." The Covid-19 is a pandemic, so delays as a result of this would allow the Vendor to extend the closing dates. If the Vendor does need to extend closing for this reason, they will need to send a notice to all Purchasers. Shop For Treasures Today! Seasonal • Antiques • Clothing • Furniture • Household Items • Toys, Games & More Drop Your Recyclables Today! Metal • Glass • Pop Cans & Tabs • Home & Office items • Shredded Paper Donate your items today to help YOUR Community!CLOSED Mon & Tues 905-877-6508 | 49A Mountainview Rd N Georgetown (just south of Armstrong) Many of you have con- tacted me about the novel coronavirus and the disease it causes (COVID-19). I would like to share with you some facts, preventive steps and government resources. The new coronavirus is a respiratory disease (that is, a disease of the lungs). It spreads from person-to-per- son contact through some- one infected (who may not have any symptoms). It can also spread through the air through tiny droplets; for example, if someone infec- ted sneezes or coughs. Only laboratory tests can diagnose whether someone has the virus. Symptoms usually develop within 14 days of infection. Symptoms of COVID-19 include a cough, a fever and shortness of breath. There are several ways you can better protect yourself and others: • Wash your hands fre- quently using soap and wa- ter for at least 20 seconds (if soap and water aren't avail- able, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers), • cough or sneeze into a tissue (or flexed elbow) and discard the tissue in the trash, • avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, • avoid close contact with people who are sick, sneez- ing or coughing, • stay home when you are sick, and • clean and disinfect sur- faces people frequently touch. If you believe you have contracted novel coro- navirus, you should contact one of the following: • your doctor, • Halton Region Public Health at 311, or • Telehealth Ontario at (866) 797-0000. For more information on coronavirus, consult the fol- lowing government sourc- es: • Public Health Agency of Canada (general informa- tion and travel advice) at www.canada.ca/coronavi- rus or at (833) 784-4397 or at phac.info.aspc@canada.ca • Telehealth Ontario (free, confidential medical advice from a registered nurse, 24/7) at (866) 797-0000 • Halton Region Public Health at 311 As always, you can con- tact me at (905) 702 2597. Michael Chong is the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills. OPINION WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COVID-19 HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT CORONAVIRUS IS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELF, WRITES MICHAEL CHONG MICHAEL CHONG Column