Last year, once busy and crowded amenities in Community Associations fell silent as residents stayed socially distanced. However, as the social distancing restrictions are now loosened, pools and gyms begin to open for the summer, and Community Managers have found that technology provides the bridge they have been looking for. With technology, they can engage with residents and empower them to take advantage of the amenities they pay for while still feeling safe. However, before we introduce the technology, we would like to briefly mention what to consider when re-opening amenities.
Communicating regularly and appropriately
If your Community Association has decided to re-open amenities, we highly recommend you notify your residents.
As per CAI’s Status Check - A Reopening Guide for Community Associations, the following is highly recommended:
A letter to update residents about common areas and amenities
Community association leaders should regularly communicate the status of common area and amenity reopening, closing, and other changes in the community as a result of COVID-19.
With our Announcements solution, you can create, edit, and distribute announcements easily and effectively by email, text messages (SMS), and automated phone call.
Common area signage
Post signs in highly visible locations (e.g., building entrances, stairways, elevators) that promote everyday protective measures and describe how to stop the spread of germs (such as social distancing, by properly washing hands, proper cough etiquette, and properly wearing a mask).
We offer 40” digital display screens for your lobby or mail room for you to broadcast important information, and options to digitally push building announcements to elevator screens as well. Concierge Plus automatically pushes all information from your community website to the display screen.
Guidelines for community association common areas, amenities, and operations
Please note that each state has its own rules and guidelines, and we thus strongly recommend you continue to follow all recommended Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and individual state ordinances as closely as possible.
The following information updates should be regularly communicated to residents:
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Guidance and directives from state and local officials and state and local health departments
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How your community is helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19
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How additional information will be shared and where to direct questions
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How to stay healthy, including videos, fact sheets, and posters with information on COVID-19 symptoms and how to stop the spread of germs, how to wash your hands, and what to do if you are sick
Many of our customers make use of our newsletter feature as well and are keeping residents in the loop by sending out a monthly newsletter.
Managing your amenities while allowing social distancing
Our Amenity Booking feature gives residents the ability to book timeslots for facilities that did not necessarily require reservations in the past. This includes pools, gyms and other fitness areas, and BBQs.
Each amenity can be easily configured with its’ own rules: when it can be booked, for how long, by how many, how far in advance, and by whom. Manage everything online and never worry about a double-booking and follow social distancing rules.
What the video below to learn more:
Protecting pets
Pets, including comfort and assistance animals, are important members of many households. Until the CDC learns more about how this virus affects animals, individuals should treat pets as they would other human family members to protect them from a possible infection. Managers and boards can share the following information regarding pets with residents:
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Wash your hands after handling animals, their food, waste, or supplies
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Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s health
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Be aware that children 5 years and younger, people with weakened immune systems, and people 65 years and older are more likely to get sick from germs some animals can carry
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Don’t let pets interact with people or other animals outside your household
If you manage a pet friendly condo or HOA with a dog park or playground, our Pet Registry feature is a must to have.
With our Pet Registry feature, managing all of the information around your residents’ pets becomes very simple. You can even publish pet information to other residents to increase awareness within the community.
Watch our webinar titled How to Manage Amenities During Re-Opening
We hosted a webinar to talk about how to manage your amenities while maintaining resident safety.
Watch the webinar and learn:
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How to make everyone feel safe and comfortable during re-opening.
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How residents’ adoption of digital tools due to COVID-19 will impact your community association.
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How our amenity booking feature can help your community association manage amenities, including gyms and pools while following social distancing guidelines and provide a great resident experience.
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