Practicing social distancing is a key component to helping flatten the curve and reduce the impact of the Coronavirus on our society, but it also presents a unique challenge to the millions of Americans who live in community associations. From those living in close quarters, such as condos or cooperative, to the board members who often meet monthly to discuss the issues facing a community, these types of socializations need to be addressed differently to ensure the health and safety of everyone in your community.
In addition to the advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), Community Associations Institute (CAI) has also published some content on ways to help prevent the transmission of the virus in your neighborhood. Below are some of their suggestions as well as some expert advice on ways to continue operating your community during these difficult times.
Community Meetings & Events
Community associations should check with the state or local health officials to determine if guidance or restrictions are in place regarding group gatherings. There are several methods by which community association boards conduct business in the absence of everyone gathering at the same time and location. Electronic voting, virtual meetings, streaming live events via social platforms and even some message boards can be replacements for in person meetings. You should always consult your management company contacts or board attorneys to determine which solutions are right for you community.
Conference Calls can be used in lieu of public meetings during these times. Concerned directors can attend meetings electronically via telephone, provided they can hear all other directors in the meeting and all other directors can hear them. This is easily accomplished with a conference phone. Attendance in this manner counts as if the director were physically present in the meeting. Technology has reached the point where a call-in number can be published along with the agenda so members who wish to attend can also call into the meeting. All attendees except the board should mute their phones and only listen to the meeting. Except for open forum, members cannot participate in the board’s meeting, but they are allowed to listen. For associations where there may be a large number of attendees, boards should consult with a technology expert to determine which call-in service best serves their needs.
Common Areas & Amenities
Community associations often control the common areas, while owners are responsible for their private property. If you are in a community with shared amenities such as parks and are not currently under shelter-in-place orders, you may still want to take some additional initiatives to help protect your community
- Extensive cleaning, disinfecting or wiping down of common areas and common-area surfaces
- Postponing or canceling community events and meetings
- Closing common areas and amenities such as gyms, clubhouses, and pools
- Installing hand sanitizer dispensers or wipes on common areas for owner and guest use
- Share CDC fact sheets. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. HUD is encouraging housing providers, including community associations, to share relevant CDC fact sheets with individuals, families and staff members.
Community associations are reminded that their responses to residents regarding the coronavirus must be compliant under the Fair Housing Act and related regulations.
If you are under shelter-in-place or similar orders, or even if your area is under recommended social distancing guidelines, you may still be able to close certain common amenities based on necessity. Most governing documents provide clear authority to the board to “operate, manage, and supervise” common facilities, which could include suspending their operations. If the board believes that closing a gym, business center or community room is in the interest of the health and safety of residents to minimize the spread of disease, this is arguably a defensible, sensible business decision under the governing documents. If a board makes this kind of decision, we recommend making the rationale clear in a written communication to the members.
What to do when a resident has tested positive for Covid-19?
If the person with the coronavirus authorizes full disclosure, the board can disclose the person’s name to the membership. This allows residents who had contact with the person to immediately self-quarantine and get tested for the virus. However, there are some major precautionary steps that should be taken. Ensure that authorization for sharing this information is in writing from the person or their attorney and second share the information in a secure format such as a letter or via private email communications.
If the infected person tells the board in confidence that he contracted the coronavirus and does not want anyone to know, the board may still have a duty to notify the membership. However, it would do so without disclosing the person’s name. The board would simply report, “A resident has reported testing positive for the coronavirus.” A disclosure, however limited, alerts residents to take extra precautions to protect themselves. In addition to giving notice, the board should contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has the power to make additional disclosures, trace contacts, quarantine individuals and take other actions it deems medically necessary.
As volunteers, boards are allowed to seek expert advice. When confronted with issues involving the coronavirus, directors should not make decisions based solely on recommendations in a newsletter, whether mine or someone else’s. They should contact legal counsel and the CDC for guidance.
Communication is key
Whatever a community decides to do regarding meetings, events, common areas, amenities and other measures regarding COVID-19, it should clearly and consistently communicate with residents. Consider using a newsletter, website, email, social media or bulletin board to inform and educate. If you are a member of the board, ensure that you are communicating with owners so that they are aware of the initiatives and actions being taken by your community.
CAI has produced a resource page and video to help community associations adapt and respond to issues surrounding COVID-19 and the unique decisions and solutions they face ahead.
The organization is encouraging members, chapters and the community associations industry in general to follow the latest guidance and updates issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CAI is offering general precautionary guidance from officials and adding some common-sense guidelines for the industry.
*This Blog republished with permission from RealManageInsight.com
