Coronavirus: keeping our customers informed

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We are doing all we can to ensure the safety of all our customers and employees

As the spread of Covid-19 continues, we are keen to reassure all our customers that the wellbeing of our clients and employees is at the forefront of everything we do. We will, of course, continue to adhere strictly to Government advice, while switching to our business continuity protocols. We are all dealing with difficult times and we hope you are managing to stay safe.

Today we are setting out details of our business continuity plan so you can see that Ringley continues to operate as usual and that steps are being taken to protect the wellbeing of everyone involved with our organisation. Our IT suite includes cloud data/web portals, cloud phones, chat groups and conferencing with encrypted data-sharing platforms. Reporting protocols for off-site working are also now in place.

First, the stuff you should already know. With Coronavirus now spreading fast, in addition to an increased focus on personal hygiene, washing your hands for 20 seconds, we recommend that you also go beyond just a simple vacuum and wipe down at home focusing on metal and non-porous surfaces: doors, cutlery and crockery being passed by others are particular risks.

And some stuff you might not have heard. Some countries are suggesting when you come home you should remove your outer clothes for washing and go shower - especially if you have a person in a high-risk category in your house.

The biggest issue for apartment blocks is door handles. They have the largest transmission risk as everybody touches them. Contract cleaning is often done at best weekly, so it might be time to think about community-led initiatives to wipe down door handles regularly with anti-bacterial wipes or spray and clean other parts of the building that are touched regularly, like building exit buttons.

It is very important that we know about confirmed cases quickly so please report this to your Relationship Manager. If there is a serious outbreak in your block we have sourced cleaners who can carry out fogging or misting with disinfectant as part of a deep clean. It is not cheap and costs about £7 per sqft, but could constitute a reserve fund spend if really necessary. So please do report to us if you or your family actually have coronavirus ? so that we can at least discuss the risks with your landlord and make a decision.

An Advice Note has been sent out to all staff employed on-site ? as well as an explanation to clients regarding payment arrangements for site staff.

And we haven't forgotten about protection for visiting contractors. We have sent all clients an advice note and suggestions about providing washing facilities for contractors visiting blocks including gardeners. For those whose sites require a gardening sign-off sheet, we have accepted notification from some contractors that they have advised their staff not to enter buildings where their routine duties do not require it.

And finally, it is important to remember that we are all human and at risk, so our thoughts are very much with those who have been affected and continue to be affected by this virus around the world.