5 things owners and residents can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings

When it comes to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings, it’s wise to act as if you already have the virus in order to avoid unknowingly passing it on to others

When it comes to stopping the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings, it’s always wise to take extra precautions. After all, COVID-19 can spread quite rapidly in dense residential settings if restrictions aren’t adhered to.

In this article, we share our recommendations for COVID-19 precautions to help owners as residents living in strata communities stop the spread.Here are a few strata property owners and residents can help stop the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings

1. Prioritise your and your family’s health
2. Avoid unnecessary use of common areas and shared amenities
3. Avoid direct receipt of parcel deliveries
4. Adhere to self-isolation advice and government restrictions
5. Postpone any non-essential renovation work

Prioritise your and your family’s health

• Always maintain good personal hygiene and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, only use hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available
• Use a hand sanitiser when you get home or into work, when you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, eat or handle food
• Clean your home as often as you can. Disinfect surfaces and frequently touched objects with a cleaning spray or wipe
• Check with a committee member or your strata manager on what measures are in place to keep common areas such as door handles, light switches, lift buttons, bathrooms, lobbies regularly disinfected. This is crucial for stopping the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings.

Avoid unnecessary use of common areas and shared amenities

• Minimise the use of common areas or shared facilities, as these are areas in which the transmission of COVID-19 in strata settings can occur
• If you use an outdoor fitness area, take your own yoga mat and disinfect surfaces after use
• Create more space between you and others when using equipment
• Adhere to notices about practising safety and hygiene.

Avoid direct receipt of parcel deliveries

• Arrange for parcel deliveries to be left at the front door or lobby area. Use gloves to take receipt of packages and dispose of the packaging immediately, to reduce the likelihood of the transmission of COVID-19 in strata settings
• If a signature is required, use your own pen

Adhere to self-isolation advice and government restrictions

• If you have been ordered to isolate due to contracting COVID-19 or being names a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, you must not leave your lot.
• Ensure that you do not use common areas or shared facilities while in isolation. If you touch any door handles, lift buttons etc, ensure to wipe them down with a disinfectant wipe immediately to reduce the likelihood of the spread of COVID-19 in strata settings
• Contact a committee member or your strata manager and let them know you are in self-isolation. They may be able to arrange for your weekly rubbish to be removed or collect deliveries on your behalf
• If a resident is under mandatory isolation but refuses to remain isolated within your building and is walking around or using common areas, that becomes a criminal matter and a police issue as they are in breach of the Public Health Act. Police have powers under the Public Health Act to issue penalties to those who do not comply. Such residents could also be in breach of the by-laws or building rules by creating a nuisance or hazard on common property

Postpone any non-essential renovation work

If you are not under the pressure of a renovation timeline, you may want to evaluate commencing works during this public health crisis.

There are a few factors at play that could result in your works coming to a halt:

• A contractor may be prevented from finishing the job if they have to isolate
• The building industry is being impacted with shortages of materials and products which are mostly sourced from overseas, so some of the materials you need may be hard to source and on backorder
• Material costs may become more expensive because of scarcity and unusually high demand
• Renovation and construction work may be paused due to government health orders.

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