Van Ness Co-op Building Implements Strict Coronavirus Measures

• March 19th 2020

by Nena Perry-Brown

A DC co-op building is getting aggressive in its efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus. 

Van Ness North has put a halt to all community events and has shut down all common areas in response to the virus. That means no more gym, no more guest suite, and no more casual congregating in the lobby on Fridays.

The front desk staff are wiping down the doors and handles in the building once every two hours, and the same cleaning schedule applies to the loading dock. Cleaning staff are also sanitizing the stairwells, laundry facilities, and the elevators down to the buttons twice per day. Once a week, a cleaning company uses a sanitizing spray throughout the common areas and on the residents' doors. Response to maintenance requests has also been cut down primarily to address emergencies.

The property manager told UrbanTurf that roughly one-third of building residents are 60 years and older, so they want to mitigate spread as much as possible. The building is also considering restricting access from contractors who are currently working on units in the building. 

Management has also posted information around the building and has been distributing weekly notices about best practices for mitigating spread of the coronavirus. Some residents, many of whom are now working from home and have time on their hands, have emailed with their own suggestions of what should be included.

Note: The article earlier referred to the building as an apartment building; it is a co-op building.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/van-ness-co-op-building-implements-strict-coronavirus-measures/16613.