This article discussing how an owners corporation can plan for and survive a cash flow crisis has been provided by Joel Chamberlain, Horizon Strata Management Group. The content contained in this post was correct at time of posting.
Question: I think we need clear guidelines about safety precautions in relation to COVID-19. Our Owners Corporation is having difficulty.
I think we need clear guidelines about safety precautions in relation to COVID-19. Our Owners Corporation is having difficulty.
For instance, regarding the ability of occupants to unlock the security door to allow deliverers (say for groceries or other items) to enter. Some believe occupants should meet deliverers on the street, or that parcels should be left in unsecured areas.
Others, like me, believe this poses other risks. For instance, if food is left in unsecured areas it can be stolen, and thereby discourage people from online shopping, which is generally regarded as being safer.
I am also concerned that if and when someone in our apartment complex has COVID-19, this would mean they would have to move through the building to unsecured areas to collect goods, thereby placing other people at risk.
There are also concerns in the event of an emergency, or ambulance needing access to the building.
We need some guidance about this matter, I can’t find any specific recommendations about this issue.
Answer: Your Owners Corporation Manager or Committee should seek out residents to volunteer their time to facilitate deliveries and take on the role of supporting those who are unable to leave.
This is a great question, but difficult to answer as COVID-19 is not only a rapidly changing issue but one that does not have a single solution for all buildings. Predominately, there are no specific regulations that obligate an Owners Corporation to provide solutions for circumstances like the current. Our experience, however, is showing that communities are adapting to resolve issues like this with the means that they have available.
At a minimum, your Owners Corporation should put measures in place to restrict contact and interactions between residents. At present, Victoria is in Stage 3 lockdown, which means there are minimal reasons to leave your residence.
However, this does not mean that things like deliveries and common areas need to be subjected and exposed to potential contamination. One of the best ways to ensure that members who are isolating or who might be infected is to designate volunteers in your building to assist with providing essential services to those in need.
Your Owners Corporation Manager or Committee should seek out residents to volunteer their time to facilitate deliveries and take on the role of supporting those who are unable to leave. Once those volunteers have been appointed, they should be briefed on safety and protocol when interacting with those in isolation.
To help with better organisation of volunteers, the Committee or Manager should allocate the volunteers by floor(s), day(s) or even time(s). This list should be made available to residents in the building, so they are aware of who to contact and when.
Below are a few examples of how to deal with various circumstances;
Ordering Meal delivery: Ubereats, Deliveroo, etc.
Contact the volunteer before you order online.
You then place your meal orders and share the estimated delivery time with the volunteer.
When the meal arrives, notify the volunteer.
The volunteer will then go collect the food for you.
The volunteer will bring the food up to your apartment door. The volunteer (or concierge) will knock at your door, leave the food outside and leave.
You only open the door 2 minutes after the door knock.
Purchasing groceries: from the supermarket
Prepare a list of products your need from the supermarket (you can specify items, but not brands, i.e. a loaf of white bread/grainy bread, a can of chicken soup) Due to item shortages at the supermarket the volunteer will buy items as available.
Contact the volunteer and email or text the volunteer your shopping list.
The volunteer will discuss with you a time that works for the volunteer.
The volunteer will do the shopping for you.
The volunteer will contact you when the groceries are ready to be delivered to your door.
The volunteer will bring the food up to your apartment door. The volunteer will knock at your door, leave the bags outside, wait 2 meters away, make sure you are alright taking your delivery, and then leave.
You and the volunteer will both keep a copy of the receipt.
No cash handling. You will reimburse the volunteer through bank transfer.
Purchasing Medicine items: the Committee/Manager will need to advise the local Pharmacy of the arrangement put in place, including identifying the volunteer’s name etc.
If you have a script that needs filling, contact a volunteer available at the time.
The volunteer will discuss with you a time that works for the volunteer.
Email the Pharmacy in advance providing your script, relevant information, including your Medicare number, Medicare expiry date, DOB, your phone number, and the volunteer’s name.
Then let the volunteer know once the Pharmacy has your script details,
The volunteer will contact you when they have bought your items.
The volunteer will bring the items to your door. The volunteer will knock at your door, leave the bags outside, wait 2 meters away, make sure you are alright taking your delivery, and then and leave.
You and the volunteer will both keep a copy of the receipt.
No cash handling. You will reimburse the volunteer through bank transfer.
Garbage Disposal
Place your bagged rubbish inside your kitchen rubbish bucket, and put the rubbish bucket outside your apartment, between designated times as needed.
Cleaners will collect the garbage at the designated times.
Collect your rubbish bucket after the designated times.
When you finish your self-isolating period
You should notify the Committee and OC Manager when you have completed your 14-day self-isolation.
Having designated volunteers to keep the essential items and deliveries flowing from the outside world is an excellent way to minimise contact with those who may be infected. This arrangement also limits isolated persons and their movement throughout the building. However, to avoid exposure to a volunteer, good safety practices must be implemented. Deliveries may or may not be contaminated:
Thoroughly wash and dry your hands
When using gloves and masks correctly, for practical purposes, it is easier to put on your mask before you put on your gloves.
Maintaining a safe distance of 1.5 m from others
Wear gloves and mask when travelling to the apartment floor.
Disposal of gloves and masks when you get home:
REMOVE GLOVES FIRST
Place gloves in a disposable bag such as a small freezer bag
Remove your mask
Dispose of the mask, place it in the bag as above
Seal and put the bag down the garbage chute.
Wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly.
These are only suggestions that may be appropriate for your building to adopt. All buildings are different, and circumstances vary, so it is best to review what your needs are and put protocols in place to minimise interaction and maximise normality where possible.
Your residents and Owners Corporation must communicate as much as possible if changes or protocols are put in place. This will help everyone to work through these times and remain supported where their movements are limited.
Above all else, keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Have a question about how your owners corporation can plan for and survive a cash flow crisis or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.
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