5 ideas for redesigning a coworking space to prevent coronavirus transmission and work safely

Co-working or coworking has grown over recent years as it represents an option for many professionals from different sectors to have a shared space at a reasonable price to carry out their activities. However, the COVID situation has complicated its development, as well as working safely within it. Therefore, we bring you this post with 5 ideas for redesigning a coworking space in such a way that coronavirus transmission is avoided.

What is coworking about?

Coworking goes far beyond a simple shared business office; its approach is aimed at creating a work community with established rules. It has a manager who is responsible for ensuring that office members get to know each other, creating a harmonious and trustworthy environment, and generating work opportunities that may arise among the various professional members of the office. We recommend reading our article What is networking and its relationship with coworking?This type of modality is aimed at independent professionals, SMEs, and entrepreneurs, who require a physical space outside their home, with basic services to carry out their functions, such as telephone, internet, and who do not have a sufficient budget to cover the expenses of a premises independently.Furthermore, this type of option offers advantages to those who acquire it as it allows them to be located in a professional environment, which can be motivating and become an environment for exchange and relationships with other professionals that can also lead to the creation of joint projects. They foster discipline and respect for schedules. They are offered with flexible hiring options, according to the hours you need them; in general, they are quite flexible. They have meeting rooms where you can coordinate appointments with clients and make various presentations. They definitely make it easier to carry out your work routine without the interruptions that may arise at home. It allows for the expansion of your network of contacts by interacting with other professionals.

How has the coronavirus affected coworking and how should it be redesigned to prevent contagion?

Like everything in this world, this work modality has also been affected by the presence of the dreaded Covid-19, which has changed all our lives, and it is imperative to take the necessary actions to protect these workspaces where there is a high concentration of people.The first thing will be the adequate management of biosafety rules, such as the mandatory use of masks, frequent hand washing with soap and water, a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between people, ensuring strict compliance, both for professionals who occupy the shared office and for clients. A strict cleaning and disinfection protocol must be maintained in order to guarantee the necessary care for virus prevention.It will be advisable for coworking management to hire a company specialised in office cleaning and maintenance, thus ensuring proper disinfection of the premises. The selection of such a company must cover aspects such as experience, the use of products and resources that do not affect the environment and that work for a total disinfection of all spaces.To remain operational, coworking spaces must make a series of adaptations and modifications to protect themselves from the coronavirus and adjust to the new normal, particularly for the observance of the recommended social distancing between people.

1. Installation of protective screens for separation between workstations, to prevent contagion. These separators will act as a physical barrier preventing possible virus-carrying particles from reaching the other person and hitting the screen. Additionally, this measure must be complemented by correct disinfection of all office surfaces to prevent coronavirus.2. Mark the minimum separation distance on the floor in waiting areas, corridors, between workstations, and in entrance and exit zones. Common areas such as coffee zones can also be delimited and access restricted or capacity reduced to avoid overcrowding.These measures will affect social activity, but they are necessary for the safety of all members of the coworking community and their visitors. The important thing will be the communication of the measures and the supervision of their compliance.3. The arrangement of workstations should be reconsidered, analysing and reallocating the office layout, to ensure the minimum social distance and maintain a prudent space between workstations. Similarly, this measure should be applied in waiting areas and meeting rooms. Workstations can also be oriented in the same direction to ensure ventilation flow.4. Occupancy shifts can also be applied to the office, thus reducing its occupancy capacity and allowing members to access it safely without it being fully occupied. Morning and afternoon shifts, or hourly shifts, can be established. The manager will be a relevant factor in this organisation and in promoting the correct use of spaces, as well as the necessary communications for compliance with all safety regulations.5. Use of informational posters with reminders of all biosafety measures, as well as adapting access control systems in each space from the entrance that include digital thermometers and disinfection devices with hydroalcoholic gel. Supply the necessary hand disinfection resources in the restrooms. And a strict control and awareness plan must be carried out so that all members act responsibly in the prevention of the virus, and if they feel any symptom that indicates suspicion of having coronavirus, they should not go to the office or, if they are already there, they should withdraw preventatively to a health centre where they can be attended to according to health protocols. One can also resort to requesting a quick loan to help acquire the resources that guarantee the required security in this type of office.Many people prefer to stay home and do their work from the safety of their homes, but many require more interaction and an adequate space to perform their tasks without the interruptions that may arise at home. Whatever the case, the important thing is to act responsibly for the well-being of all and comply with all preventive measures for health care against the threat of this terrible virus.

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