The coronavirus (COVID-19) is the event of our times. This pandemic is expected to kill millions of people worldwide. While not the most deadly virus known, it is very highly communicable, leading potentially to high concentrations of afflicted people in localized areas, overwhelming the health care infrastructure of the areas. Afflicted people could easily face a shortage of hospital beds in their area, as well as shortages of necessary respiratory equipment and overburdened doctors and staff, itself leading to death. Therefore, it is important to take potentially drastic steps to slow down the spread of the virus. For the building owner/manager – and particularly, of a multi-family building – one does not want the building to be the center of many coming down with COVID-19.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) maintains that the spread of the COVID-19 virus can be slowed with frequent, thorough disinfectant washing of surfaces that people touch, such as door knobs, bannisters, and elevator buttons. Many communities have instituted a partial or substantial lockdown forbidding people to leave their homes, with few exceptions, such as food shopping or a pharmacy visit. There is particular concern about these sub-populations who may be especially vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure:
• Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19;
• Those who have had close contact with persons with COVID-19; and
• Travelers returning from areas where COVID-19 cases are common.

Therefore, building owners and managers should develop and implement reasonable protocols to reduce the spread and keep building staff and residents safe until a state of emergency is lifted. This should be done to mitigate risks and potential claims.

The protocol should require building staff to keep all items, furniture, and equipment that people may make contact with sanitized with the use of an EPA-approved disinfectant (containing at least 70% alcohol). This would include all such surfaces in lobbies, elevators, mail rooms, laundry rooms, bathrooms, or other areas that residents and staff may have access to. Door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and other commonly touched surfaces should be disinfected often and thoroughly.

The protocol should require or strongly recommend all outsiders, such as contractors, visitors, vendors, and delivery people who enter to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Dispensers should be placed in the lobby accessible to all. Building staff should ensure there is always soap and paper towels in bathrooms and to post reminders for 20-second hand washing. Delivery personnel should be told to leave the item they are delivering by the unit’s front door, ring the door bell, and then leave.

Signage for COVID-19 is important. They should encourage all persons exhibiting symptoms of infection to seek medical care, follow their doctor’s orders, and report themselves to the local health department, encourage all persons who have come in close contact with an infected person to self-quarantine in their unit for at least 14 days, and encourage all persons to use tissues to contain coughs and sneezes, wash their hands regularly and to keep a 6-foot distance from others.

Building staff should be required to wear and use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gloves and masks, according to the job they are doing, as well as to follow written directions for using cleaning products. Appropriate quantities of protective equipment and cleaning products should be available.

Staff should be encouraged to ask residents they see, particularly the elderly, how they are feeling and if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 infection. If a resident’s answer may indicate possible infection, then he/she should be encouraged to seek assistance from local authorities. Staff need not enter that person’s unit, should promptly wash their hands thoroughly, and report the incident to Management.

Again, signage is important as a way to communicate these items to residents, staff, and outsiders. Having a written protocol communicated to and understood by staff puts the building owner/manager in a better position to ensure no further or limited exposure to COVID-19 virus, which is better for the health of residents and staff, reduces expenses, protects the owner from legal actions, and enhances the building’s value.

CCES has the experts to help building owners manage their property more efficiently and effectively. Contact us today at 914-584-6720 or at karell@CCESworld.com.