Protocols You Might Not Have Considered for COVID-19

Remember what they say about the best laid plans? They often go awry.
Long before the coronavirus outbreak was classified as a pandemic, many apartment management companies created crisis plans for the possibility of widespread disease. So much for planning. It’s painfully clear that the plans were merely guidelines based on hypothetical situations. 
Nobody has navigated these waters before. And those who had plans in place likely didn’t anticipate the global scale of COVID-19. While crisis plans provide a solid foundation to build upon initially, the response from the multifamily industry continues to evolve. The plans we had already required more than a few updates. 
By now, apartment managers have all subscribed to social distancing recommendations, enhanced cleaning measures and amenity closures. Right now, we’re working through new payment agreements with renters who lost jobs or suffered reduced wages. But we also need to develop protocols for potential situations that might still arise. 
Stay current, stay flexible
Don’t wait for updated information to come to you. Identify expert websites that frequently update their data and messaging. The National Multifamily Housing Committee (NMHC) regularly updates the research and recommendations on its website. The Centers for Disease Control website provides current information and instructions for essential tasks like disinfecting your property and making your own facemask. Stay informed and ready to react as recommendations change. The protocols we implemented when the pandemic began may only loosely resemble those that we have in place when the crisis is done. 
Make sure residents know what to do i……