We’re ecstatic to have our coworking space open again on June 1st after closing due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
We have missed our members, and some of you have reached out to us about the challenges of working from home alongside your family—working from home is not working!
We’re looking forward to welcoming you back into the building when you are ready.
Without a doubt, the health and safety of our coworkers are our top priority during this pandemic. We’ve developed a Member Re-Entry Plan based upon the recommendations given by BC Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, and coworking industry re-entry webinars.
As we continue to navigate the situation (with many thanks to Dr. Bonnie Henry and her team), we’re taking these crucial steps and measures to protect the health and well being of our coworking community:
Increased Cleaning Protocol
The offices are now ultra-clean.
We’ve implemented a stricter cleaning protocol for all common areas and surfaces, including washrooms, phone booths, equipment, tools, common tables, desks, light switches, and door handles. These high-touch areas are disinfected on a daily basis. The washrooms and phone booths will be cleaned several times per day. We have added ‘usage signs’ for members to alert staff to when one of these small spaces needs cleaning.
Our janitorial team does a deep clean on the weekend to ensure extra sanitation of our offices.
We’ve removed any unnecessary tools or equipment that may elevate the risk of transmission, including items like shared utensils and plates.
Disinfectant spray and paper towels are provided for member use in the kitchen and boardroom.
And it’s up to you to wash your hands thoroughly throughout the day.
Disinfection & Sanitation with Electrostatic Sprayer
Before we open, electrostatic sprayers disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
This step helps prevent the spread of the Coronavirus and other germ-causing illnesses. Electrostatic spray technology works by charging disinfectants as they pass through a sprayer nozzle. Charged droplets repel one another and actively seek out environmental surfaces, which they stick to and even wrap around to coat all sides. The result is a uniform coating of disinfectant on sprayed objects, including hard-to-reach areas that manual cleaning may miss.
Sneezeguards
Added barriers between a set of two tables.
We’ve installed high-quality 3/16” plexiglass that’s impact-resistant and precision-fit to help protect against airborne droplets and contaminants. Plexiguards aid in reducing the spread of the virus, keeping members safe. Installed between facing desks, these shields guard against contact with airborne droplets and other potential contaminants produced by coughing and sneezing.
Common Use Areas
Limited person usage and 6′ social distancing in effect.
These common use areas are currently limited:
- The kitchen – one person at a time (so please be mindful if someone is waiting to use it).
- The boardroom – six people maximum and all desks and chairs will be spaced according to the provincial recommended spacing guidelines.
- Elevator – one person max.
The priority is to ensure physical distancing is practiced in our space, including re-configuring the workplace to maintain appropriate distance between people.
Physical distancing must be maintained throughout the building and office. To help people remember this crucial guideline:
- Desks are distanced.
- People flow arrow decals are on the floor.
- Taped ‘stand here while waiting’ lines are on the floor.
- Best practices posters are on the walls.
- Chairs are placed 6′ apart.
Handsanitizer
Use it when you enter and leave the space.
We’re working on securing hand sanitizer stations (as you can imagine, they’re an in-demand item). Until we obtain these, we have manual-pump bottles located throughout the space.
Hand sanitizer gels contain alcohol to kill any germs present on the skin. The alcohol works immediately and effectively to kill bacteria and most viruses. Please use hand sanitizer between washing hands; and for any time when soap and water may not be available.
No Personal Contact
Limit handshaking and other personal contact.
Choose non-contact greetings and refrain from sharing items such as pens, desk space, computers, dry erase markers, meals, etc. We have sufficient hand-washing facilities so that coworkers are able to wash their hands upon arriving to work, before and after breaks, after handling other materials, as well as before and after handling common tools and equipment.
Reception Protocol
Everyone checks in at reception.
A member and guest check-in sheet has been put into effect—every person entering the premises must confirm whether they are exhibiting symptoms or not. The building is FOB access only, ensuring that guests and other visitors must request access from the front door.
If in Doubt, Stay Home
Be diligent and mindful of other people’s health.
You’ve heard this many times before but we’re here to remind you: Stay home if you have any flu-like symptoms or if someone you have been in contact with has flu-like symptoms. The Provincial Health Officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control have issued the below guidance on self-isolation.
The following workers should not come into the workplace:
- Anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days must self-isolate at home; symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and new muscle aches or headache.
- Anyone under the direction of the Provincial Health Officer to self-isolate must follow those instructions.
- Anyone who has arrived from outside of Canada, or who is a contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
Workers who have been exposed to anyone confirmed to have COVID-19, or to anyone with possible symptoms of COVID-19, should call HealthLink BC at 811 for an assessment and to determine any necessary next steps.
We’re closely monitoring developments around COVID-19 and will continue to add updates to our blog as they occur within our coworking space.
Be kind. Be Calm. Be safe.
-Dr. Bonnie Henry
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