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Covid19 Calgary Property Management Update: December 2020

December 2020

New restrictions were announced by the province last week that came into effect on December 13, 2020 to further help manage the rising cases of COVID-19 in Alberta. Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. has reviewed the information provided and offers the following updates as it impacts property management in Calgary & Area.

These updates continue to be in line with Emerald’s focus of protecting the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers, suppliers and our communities. As it has since March 2019, we continue to be proud of everyone’s support and focus on staying safe while continuing business operations.

Emerald is following the guidelines of Alberta Health Services and while this information continues to change and evolve, we believe we are well positioned to meet the challenges of this pandemic. In response to the recent Government of Alberta restrictions:

Emerald is deemed an essential professional services and as a result, our office will continue to remain open. We will be available to guests by appointment only.
All employees & guests are required to wear a mask and social distance, unless there is a medical exemption. Masks will be worn in meetings with others, working on-site and when walking in the common areas and at all properties.
Managers are working with their teams to monitor safety and risk management protocols with respect to remote and rotational in-office work schedules. Where operationally required and safe to do so, team members will continue to work in the office and at the properties.
Property showings, inspections and maintenance must continue to follow the physical distancing, masking and PPE requirements in place. Property showings are now limited to two family-unit members at a time.
Whenever possible, showings and meetings will be conducted virtually.
All employees must continue to adhere to all safety precautions, follow all provincial public health guidelines, and municipal orders.

The above protocols and restrictions are in accordance with Alberta Health Services and supported by the Alberta Real Estate Association and the Real Estate Council of Alberta.

While the situation continues to evolve, our team is poised to take swift action to ensure we are in line with the new measures and can continue to offer the service and responsive experience we are known for. To assist our customers and team members with information about how we continue to adapt, we will continue posting regular information on our website at: www.emeraldmanagement.com/blog This has proven to be an effective tool and resource for our community.

Should you be interested in learning more about Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s efforts or current protocols, please contact us.

From all of us at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd., thank you for your support during this challenging time. Stay healthy!

November 29, 2020

Since the news of Coronavirus first broke, Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s focus has been on protecting the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers, suppliers and our communities. In addition, we have focused on our ability to continue business operations and keep everyone working. Like most organizations, our emphasis has been on preparedness and safety.

Emerald is following the guidelines of Alberta Health Services and while this information continues to change and evolve, we believe we are well positioned to continue to meet the challenges of this pandemic.

Our ability to meet the challenges is based on several reasons, including:

Our team has proven performance and experience navigating emergency events. We are family owned and engaged in our key business operations. Our systems have developed over our almost 50 years in business so that we can be responsive.
Our tools and technologies enable our team to work on rotation, and when needed, remotely, without disruption, to fully serve the needs of our customers. We have a work from home policy that makes necessary transitions and adjustments seamless.
Our team is committed to delivering great customer service and support, even in difficult situations. As a result, our customer demand and activity remains strong. We have been recognized for the past 5 years as: Top Choice in Property Management Services in Calgary.

Our team has managed crisis scenarios successfully in the past, and we are well prepared to continue navigating this unprecedented global health event with positivity.

To assist our customers and team members with information about how we continue to adapt, we have been posting regular information on our website at: www.emeraldmanagement.com/blog and a pop-up alert on our home page. This has proven to be an effective tool and resource for our community.

In response to the recent Government of Alberta restrictions:

As Emerald Management is deemed an essential professional services business, our office will continue to remain open and we will be available to guests by appointment only.
To do our part in minimizing the spread of Covid-19, effective November 30, 2020, our office hours will be modified to: Monday – Thursday (8.30 am – 6.00 pm); Friday (8.30 am – 5.00 pm); closed weekends. Please note that office hours are subject to change.
- Emerald Management & Realty Ltd. continues to be available 24 hours a day: 7 days a week for after hours support and emergencies.
All employees & guests are required to wear a mask and social distance.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue to monitor the safety of our team and risk management protocols. Where necessary, we will implement a rotation of teams working and the potential of working remotely.
In accordance with the provincial guidelines and the Real Estate Council of Alberta, property showings and inspections will continue to follow the physical distancing and masking requirements in place. Property showings are now limited to two family-unit members at a time.

Disinfecting clean added to Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s list of property management services.
Whenever possible, meetings and property showings will be conducted virtually. As highlighted in our last Covid-19 Update, we continue to monitor the cleaning requirements of the common spaces of our multifamily properties and condominium communities. We continue to use effective disinfecting protocols including the use of Vital Oxide and electrostatic sprayers. This disinfectant service has been integrated into Emerald’s extensive list of property management and property maintenance services. It is now available to condominium corporations and building owners. For more information on our areas of focus, visit our last Covid-19 Property Management Update.

The above protocols and restrictions are in accordance with Alberta Health Services and supported by theAlberta Real Estate Association and the Real Estate Council of Alberta.

For individuals seeking information on the emergency financial relief programs and additional assistance available during the Covid-19 pandemic, visit:

Throughout this time, it continues to be important that we support each other and the community. We are thankful for the support of our loyal and dedicated team members, residents, clients and partners — all of whom, are all integral to the foundation of our success.

Thank you for your contribution to flattening the curve and working through this together.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay positive.

November 13, 2020

With the recent Alberta Government announcement of heightened restrictions in response to the increased community spread of COVID-19, we are reminded about the importance of remaining diligent in our efforts to stay well.

Our goal at the onset of COVID-19 remains the same today: to keep our team and clients safe, healthy and working. As we continue to work together to flatten the curve, in-line with the recent government restrictions implemented on November 12, 2020, our specific areas of focus include:

Face Coverings

In accordance with current provincial and municipal bylaws, signage regarding face coverings continues to be posted in common building areas.

Guests and team members at our head office are wearing masks in accordance with the Mask Bylaw¹ protocols while in public, in common spaces and meeting with customers for the health and safety of all individuals.

Team members (in select positions) are also required to wear additional PPE including face masks and gloves.

Surface Areas & Shared or Common Spaces

In the common spaces of our multifamily properties and condominium communities, we have implemented rigorous cleaning schedules with the support of our valued third party contractors and vendors.

Our team continues to sanitize and wipe down their work areas and meeting rooms prior to and post client meetings. Hand sanitizer remains available to use in the lobby areas, at desks and in the washrooms.

As property management has been deemed an essential service, we have added a regular disinfecting clean of all touch points in our office with Vital Oxide, a product authorized by Health Canada for use against SARS-CoV-2, the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19². Vital Oxide is a hospital grade disinfectant that uses new enhanced cleaning technology and odourless and 100% biodegradable.³

This disinfectant service has been added to Emerald’s extensive list of property management and property maintenance services. It is now available to condominium corporations and building owners. The service includes: disinfecting hard surfaces, touch points, elevators, etc., and can be completed as a cautionary measure prior to a tenant’s move-in or showings

Physical Distancing

To help alleviate the risk of COVID-19 transmission through person-to-person contact, Emerald has placed signage in its lobbies to remind guests to maintain social and physical distancing protocols. Where required: furniture has been re-arranged to allow more space for distancing; partitions and protective barriers have been installed at desks and reception areas to provide an extra level of precaution for guests and team members; and floor markers have been placed in common areas.

As well, Emerald supports physical distancing with the use of technology for virtual board meetings and client interactions. Further to this, we continue to improve systems and update processes in addition to enhanced cleaning and new efforts like disinfectant spraying.

The health and safety of our team is our top priority. Accordingly, they are prepared to work remotely when necessary or should someone be impacted by quarantine. The need for rotating schedules continues to be monitored to ensure compliance with government regulations and meet service needs.

Guests to the office have been asked to arrange meetings by appointment. This measure has been taken to limit the numbers of people in the office and reduce congestion in meeting rooms and lobby areas.

We continue to take payments online and work with residents on maintenance concerns as they arise. Rental showings remain top priority and we take precautions to ensure both residents and our team remain safe. We provide virtual showings where possible and will continue to take proactive creative steps to market rental listings.

Updates

Continue checking here for updates about how we’re supporting our community and employees, and providing service to our customers and clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you need additional support or find yourself in a crisis situation, the following Agencies may be of assistance:

Distress Centre: 2-1-1
Alberta Works: 1-866-644-5135 (emergency needs allowance for Albertans)
Bow West: 403-804-9826
Sunrise Community Link: 403-204-8280
CUPS: 403-717-0922 (crisis intervention fund)
Aspen: 403-219-3477 ext. 177 (for families)
Children’s Cottage: 403-242-8575 ext. 230 (for families)

For your go-to resources and obtaining timely, accurate information and guidance, please visit:

If you start to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and call Health Link (811). You can also assess your own risk if you are concerned or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. If you need to self-isolate, follow the recommended instructions for self-isolation: Self-Isolation Fact Sheet (Government of Alberta).

COVID-19 information continues to be fast moving. Please let us know if you have any concerns or notice a sanitation issue in properties being managed so that we can work together to minimize the risk of transmission.

Emerald continues to implement the health and safety measures of applicable provincial and municipal government regulations to help provide our people a safe experience. We ask residents and clients to join us in doing their part to protect members of their community by staying home if experiencing any symptoms.

A big thank you, from our team to all of our clients, customers, trade members and third party contractors, for your support and collaboration during this challenging time!

Stay well!

¹ Mask Bylaw Information

² Government of Canada, Health Canada

³ Vital Oxide Material Safety Data Sheet

Mandatory Mask Bylaw

On August 1, 2020 the Calgary temporary mandatory masks bylaw comes into effect. This bylaw requires the wearing of masks or face coverings in any indoor space that the public has access. Businesses are also required to post signage where applicable along with maintaining a safe work environment.

As we continue to work together to help flatten the curve in Calgary, a sign requiring the use of a mask is posted at Emerald Management & Realty Ltd.’s front entry as the main reception area could be perceived as a public area. Current social distancing and sanitizing protocols remain in effect for the protection of our team and clients.

We understand that some people may be unable to wear a mask due to various medical reasons. This is a situation that we will address with kindness and understanding. That being said, our team understands that it is important to be in compliance with this bylaw for the safeguard of fellow team members, clients and customers. Everyone’s support and cooperation as we work with this new bylaw is most appreciated.

Our goal at the onset of Covid-19 was to keep our team and clients safe, healthy and working. As we enter this next phase, wearing a mask, practicing good hygiene, maintaining good health and wellness, in addition to remaining diligent to the habits already developed continues to be important. Our team is aware that when it is not possible to maintain social distancing in accordance to Alberta Health Services recommendations, a mask is required when in public, on a job site and when working with customers.

In support of this temporary bylaw, half a million masks have been made available for free around the city of Calgary. Free masks in packages of 10 are available at select recreation centres, Calgary Transit stations, bus terminals, and animal shelters.

For more information on this Bylaw and for helpful tips to help limit the spread, visit:

COVID19 information continues to be fast moving. Please let us know if you have any concerns or notice a sanitation issue in properties being managed so that we can work together to minimize the risk of transmission.

A big thank you, from our team to all of our clients, customers, trade members and third party contractors, for your support and collaboration during these difficult times! Stay well!

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