Page 4 - New England Condominium March 2020

4 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -MARCH 2020 NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM COVID-19 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Th e COVID-19 pandemic has brought disclosed to the other residents. If a board unique and challenging situations to each of learns someone has decided to self-quar- us. Our cooperative and condominium cli- ents, and their managing agents, have been People self-quarantine for many reasons, and While boards may ban large gatherings, or reside in the apartment, etc. Boards could be working diligently to keep pace as this cri- sis unfolds. First and foremost, we hope that danger. Regardless of what the residents are mitted into an apartment for an event, we disrupting the lives of owners, especially if you and all of your families are safe and well. We have been advising our clients on wash hands with soap oft en, use disinfectant which recommend limiting all guests to ing or did not stop building-wide projects. particular situations as they arise and will on surfaces, and keep hands away from their multifamily dwellings. However, encourag- continue to be available to do so. Below are mouth, nose, and eyes. our thoughts on issues which have arisen re- peatedly over the past few days. Of course, boards need to use their best judgment for their particular building. We are here to an- swer any questions you have. Q. If a resident tests positive for COVID-19, or is self-quarantined, should we tell the other residents and staff ? A. Residents should be notifi ed if the with individually. board or management receives notifi cation that someone tests positive for COVID-19 in the building. However, the name and apart- ment number of the resident should not be antine, the board should not disclose this. to visit their elderly parent who lives alone. dependent on fi nishing a project so they can may not pose an immediate or imminent limit the number of people who will be per- told, they must continue to act appropriately: have seen no such governmental guidelines the board allowed other guests in the build- Q. Should employees make service calls in- side apartments? A. Before making a service call, staff is each on a case-by-case basis based on a num- permitted to ask residents if they are sick or ber of considerations. have been exposed to the virus. We believe that, rather than put staff in that position, the board may want to direct that all service calls be suspended. Emergencies must be dealt Q. Can we ban all non-residents from the building? A. It is very impractical to ban all non- residents. For example, a child might want may have contracts with their contractor, be ing residents not to invite non-residents into have already been signed or that are legally the building is certainly a sensible idea. As to mandated, we suggest you discuss the con- banning certain non-residents (such as dog sequences with counsel before suspending walkers, tutors, nannies, etc.), it certainly operations. would be prudent, but boards must consider Q. Should our building immediately stop all renovation projects in the building? A. We believe a board may have the right the lobby or outside of the building. If a resi- to stop renovations during this time, but dent has a delivery, a building staff member doing so is not without risk. While a board can leave the package outside of the apart- could waive any monies to which it is en- titled in its alteration agreement with the owner due to a delay in a project, the owner subject to damages for stopping projects and As to building projects for which contracts Q. What should we do about deliveries? A. We recommend that no delivery per- sonnel be permitted past the entrance of the building and that in most cases residents pick up their packages or food packages in ment. For non-doorman buildings, the resi- continued on page 12 COVID-19 For Condos, Co-ops & HOAs BY ANDREW P. BRUCKER, PETER MASSA, AND DALE DEGENSHEIN Q A& Keeping up with the Crisis