Preparing for level 2: Say goodbye to hot-desking for now

When the restrictions of alert level 3 are lifted, more than two million Kiwis will return to the workplace. The move to level 2 will present challenges, not only for the country but also to business owners and property managers.

Tyrell Snelling, head of Barfoot and Thompson’s asset management division, which manages more than 100 buildings across New Zealand, says planning is going to be crucial to ensure the safe return of Kiwis to offices and businesses.

When asked what forward planning elements he considers essential that “there are simply more than most building managers and landlords have even started to consider”.

He says workers will be expecting to return to safe environments - and landlords will have a role to play in this. “There are five areas that landlords and [tenants] must consider. These include: clear communication, cleaning services, mechanical services, access control and in/out tracking, and facilitating social distancing and safe work practices.”

Snelling adds: “Providing a sense of safety and sharing the responsibility with tenants does a lot for ongoing relations. Being across a tenant and their staff ’s experiences with Covid-19 is recommended. It’s just good customer service.”

High frequency disinfecting of touch points is a process Snelling recommends. “Cleaning in advance of level 2 is truly a best practice initiative. Common areas, exterior entrances, common toilets, kitchens and loading bays and shared facilities should all be reviewed.

“Few [tenants and landlords] consider inspecting all mechanical systems within a building. Given many facilities will have been left idle or turned off for the lockdown period, an assessment of mechanical services may well avoid an issue at a later date.”

The Government has advised of best work practices during levels 3 and 4 and Snelling believes level 2 will be no exception. “Social distancing rules apply to both circulation within a tenancy and outside, and landlords should be considering how they will manage this now”. Tenants, in particular, should be aware that hotdesking is not going to be an option in the medium term.