Planned was also highlighted for this effort in a recent NJ BIZ article about New Jersey companies donating resources during COVID-19 quarantine, that article can be

Mr. Francis also discusses the added level of stress faced by his team as they clean and disinfect buildings during this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and how along with this stress, Francis says his workers feel a sense of pride helping to make sure spaces are safe for the clients they serve.

The NJTV article can be found here:  JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI1MTIlMjIlMjBoZWlnaHQlM0QlMjIzMzIlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnBsYXllci5wYnMub3JnJTJGdmlyYWxwbGF5ZXIlMkYzMDQxNTYxNTYwJTJGJTIyJTIwZnJhbWVib3JkZXIlM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwbWFyZ2lud2lkdGglM0QlMjIwJTIyJTIwbWFyZ2luaGVpZ2h0JTNEJTIyMCUyMiUyMHNjcm9sbGluZyUzRCUyMm5vJTIyJTIwc2VhbWxlc3MlMjBhbGxvd2Z1bGxzY3JlZW4lM0UlM0MlMkZpZnJhbWUlM0U=

“The COVID-19 coronavirus emergency is unprecedented across the country and around the world, and has impacted businesses and their employees deeply and in ways that we could never have anticipated,” said Robert Francis, CEO and president of Planned Cos. “This program will provide our team members with direct financial assistance during this period by offering some relief to those with related financial distress.

“As an essential business, many of our employees are on the front lines of this pandemic, putting themselves at personal risk. We hope these funds offers recognition of their commitment, dedication and hard work while providing valuable support during these uncertain times.”

Planned has contributed $500,000 to the fund, which will be administered by the Emergency Assistance Foundation Inc. The firm said the application process is streamlined, allowing grants to be processed and paid quickly.

To be eligible for a COVID-19 grant, applicants must be an active Planned employee, working on average for at least 30 hours per week, and must be an active employee for at least six months prior to application, according to a news release. Employees on approved medical leave or an approved leave of absence for no more than one year are also eligible.

Planned, which operates in 11 states, provides janitorial, maintenance, concierge and front desk and security services to clients spanning more than 1,000 residential, corporate, commercial and retail properties. The COVID-19 Immediate Response Program is separate and in addition to its existing Employee Assistance and Recognition programs, which provide employee services, at no cost, to help promote well-being and enhance healthy living, stress management, mental health, diet and fitness, legal, financial and family matters.

“While we continue to be grateful for the dedication and commitment of our health care workers and first responders during the emergency, we also applaud our employees as some of the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 response,” Francis added. “We will continue to be thankful to our own team members that are ensuring our clients’ buildings are adequately staffed and that their tenants and businesses continue to receive our high level of quality service throughout the emergency.”

This press release can be viewed on the RealEstateNJ website

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. 

How does COVID-19 spread? The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

This article discusses both “cleaning” and “disinfecting”.  According to the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, the definition of each is as follows:

• Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.

Learn what is known about the spread of the newly emerged coronaviruses at

What to clean

Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.

In your common areas it is important to clean and disinfect areas and items that many people come into contact with.  There are a number of areas touched by multiple people that you may not think about. Some of these areas include:

• Doorknobs
• Remote Controls
• Restroom apparatuses 
• Elevator buttons
• Call boxes
• Tabletops
• Refrigerator handles
• Shared kitchen appliances & surfaces
• Coffee machines / Water dispensers
• Office phones
• Light switches
• Stairwell handrails
• Mailboxes
• Vending Machines
• Chair arms
• Floors & Carpets

Technique

• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. immediately after gloves are removed.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

• • Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

• • • Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
      • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
      • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

• • • Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g. concentration, application method and contact time, etc.)

• For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:  launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or
  Use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at) that are suitable for porous surfaces.

Products

Antimicrobial products which have been registered by the EPA are deemed effective against common pathogens.  EPA-registered antimicrobial products may not make efficacy claims against these pathogens unless the Agency has reviewed data to support the claim and approved the claim on the label.

A complete list of EPA registered antimicrobial products which can be used to disinfect surfaces against Coronavirus may be found here: 

Frequency

Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces, for example: 

• Tables
• Doorknobs
• light switches
• Handles
• Desks
• Toilets
• Faucets
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with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

For surfaces that are routinely cleaned, disinfection is recommended every four hours. 

Continuity Plan

As companies are building their business continuity plans, so should property management.  Specific questions to ask include:

Coverage plan

If you find yourself with multiple employees either sick, quarantined or caring for a loved one who is ill, coverage will be a key consideration.  Will you offer overtime to your current staff or can you bring in exterior resources to cover open shifts?

Products

As concerns about the virus outbreak increase, many products such as paper towels, hand sanitizer, etc.. are out of stock and future availability is unknown.   EPA approved cleaning products are also in limited supply. Do you have a backup plan to provide your team with adequate cleaning solutions?   

For disinfection, the EPA recommends diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

• • Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Conclusion

Your best Coronavirus strategy is to have a workable plan in place covering at least these four items: 

Keep your common areas clean

Disinfect high touch areas every four hours if possible

Have a clear Standard Operating Procedure for the areas to be cleaned, the required techniques, frequency and products used. 

Prepare a business continuity plan to address coverage.

For a collaborative conversation about your plan or your janitorial needs, please contact Planned Companies at 866-244-2204