What does social distancing mean in a rental building?

Social distancing means you need to maintain at least 6 feet or 2 meters distance between you and another person. Avoid congregating in public areas of your building. That would include elevators, hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms, lobbies, community gardens, dog runs, tennis courts, social rooms, outdoor patios/gazebos, and designated smoking areas.

How do I protect my family and myself during this time while living in a building community?

Follow the social distancing guidelines as outlined in the prior question and:

Stay Informed and in Touch

Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials
Create a list of local organizations you and your household can contact in case you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
Create an emergency contact list including family, friends, neighbours, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
Ask your neighbours what their plan includes.

Prepare for Possible Illness

Consider members of the household that may be at greater risk such as older adults and people with severe chronic illnesses.
Choose a room in your apartment that can be used to physically separate sick household members from others.

Take Standard Preventative Measures

Keep away from those that are sick.
Wash your hands frequently.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home.
Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace.

What happens if many tenants want to use the elevator at one time?

To reduce the risk, minimize contact with others by:

Avoid overcrowding

Take the stairs when possible.
Wait for the next elevator.
Limit the number of people getting in to ensure safe social distancing.
Allow space between you, and those getting off the elevator.

Practice effective hygiene

Wash your hands frequently.
Cough or sneeze in the inside of your elbow or upper arm.
Avoid touching your face after pushing the button.
Wash or sanitize your hands after leaving the elevator.

How can a tenant follow social distancing and hygiene in the laundry room?

To reduce the risk, take the following actions to help minimize contact with others.

Do not use the laundry room to socialize: Practice Social Distancing.
Limit the number of people at one time: Use your best judgement.
Wash your hands or sanitize often: Before and after touching the machines.
Avoid shaking dirty laundry: It minimizes the possibility of dispersing the virus.
The hotter the wash, the better: Experts recommend washing items in a temperature of at least 140° degrees.
Use the dryer: Viruses hate heat. Drying clothes will further prevent the spread.
Clean and disinfect clothes baskets and carts: Use a bag liner if possible.
Tenant should wipe down machine before and after use.

For your convenience, the Laundry Room will remain open 24/7.

What if a tenant wants to take their children to the playground/recreation areas?

As each province is pursuing their own timeline for re-opening, it is essential to speak to your Resident Manager for the most up to date information on which of the amenities in your building are being re-opened. We will be posting signage within the buildings as well, to let you know when tenants may access an amenity and any necessary new protocols or rules.

How do tenants practice safe social distancing in designated smoking areas?

In designated smoking areas, practice social distancing rules and do not use it as an area for socializing.

Tenants must sign a liability waiver and sign the fillable copy of the rules and regulations for the designated smoking area. The waivers will be obtained from their Resident Managers.
Try to use the area when there is no one else there.
Remain 6 feet or 2 meters apart from others in the vicinity.
Wash your hands before and after visiting the designated smoking area.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Dispose of the smoking waste like butts in the designated containers.

What guidelines should tenants follow when picking up their mail from the mailbox/mailroom?

Follow proper social distancing by:

Self-isolate if you’ve been travelling or are exhibiting symptoms.
Wash your hands for 20 seconds before and after touching any surface.
Be patient and practice safe social distancing if you are waiting in the queue to pick up your mail.
If there are many people in the queue, please come back at another time.

When will the social room/gym be open?

The social rooms and on-site gyms will reopen when it is considered safe to do so.

Why is the laundry room open, but the social room and gym aren’t?

The ability to wash clothing is considered an essential service to our tenants. We expect our tenants to practice safe social distancing in this room while it is left open.

Is it ok to flush wipes, masks, or gloves in the toilet to prevent infection?

Follow the standard 3Ps of toilet flushing: PEE, POOP OR (TOILET) PAPER

Do not flush any other material down the toilet as it can wreak havoc on residential pipes and sewer systems. Doing so could lead to a clog that can cause a residential sewage system backup, flooding your apartment and causing damage to the property, resulting in costly repairs and potential interruptions in essential services.

All personal protective equipment (PPE) should be disposed of in the garbage.

What measures is Skyline Living taking to protect tenants from COVID-19?

Skyline Living has increased the frequency and level of cleaning within the buildings, included hand sanitizer stations in every building, closed off non-essential amenities, as well as the Resident Manager’s office to reduce unnecessary social contact with our staff and residents. However, they can always be reached by email or phone.

Is there a building policy about tenants having guests during COVID-19?

We ask all our tenants to limit the number of guests to the number designated by their province and to follow appropriate social distancing practices. Please note that your guests are not permitted to use the on-site amenities like pools, gyms, social rooms, etc., except for the common smoking area.

Does the COVID19 crisis change any rights or obligations as a tenant?

The rights and obligations of Skyline Living tenants remain the same during the pandemic. Should tenants be adversely affected during the pandemic, they are advised to please reach out to their Resident Managers. At Skyline Living we prefer to work with our tenants if their situations and needs change. Tenants are encouraged to discuss any concerns with their Resident Managers and work together to find solutions.

If a tenant has lost their income and is wondering how to pay rent, what could they do?

If a tenant is experiencing any difficulty paying rent, they should first speak with their Resident Manager. We want to work with our tenants to maintain and preserve our relationship. They can also use the following links to government services:

Employment Insurance (EI) – If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 24 weeks or until October 3, 2020, whichever comes first. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/notice-covid-19.html
Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) – The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) gives financial support to employed and self-employed Canadians who are directly affected by COVID-19. If you are eligible, you can receive $2,000 for a 4-week period (the same as $500 a week). https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html
For a list of provincial assistance, visit: https://www.skylineliving.ca/covid-19/government-support/.
For further information on Government programs for COVID-19 please follow this link - https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html.

Would Skyline allow an early termination of a lease? If so, what would that cost?

Every province has different requirements when it comes to early termination of a lease, particularly during a pandemic. If the tenants’ needs have changed, they are encouraged to discuss their options with their Resident Manager.

What rules does a tenant have to follow if they have returned from international travel if they have COVID-19 symptoms?

The Government of Canada has put in place an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that applies to all travelers arriving in Canada in order to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada. Failure to comply with this Order is an offence under the Quarantine Act.

Travellers with symptoms: mandatory isolation

If you have recently returned to Canada and you have symptoms, you must ISOLATE. This is mandatory. If required, immediate medical attention will be provided upon arrival in Canada.

Mandatory isolation means you MUST:

Go directly to the place where you will isolate, without delay, and stay there for 14 days.
Go to your place of isolation using private transportation only, such as your personal vehicle.
Stay INSIDE your home.
Do not leave your place of isolation unless it is to seek medical attention.
Do not go to school, work, other public areas or use public transportation such as buses and taxis.
Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
Do not have visitors and limit contact with others in the place of isolation, including children.
Do not isolate in a place where you will have contact with vulnerable people, such as older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions.
If your symptoms get worse, immediately contact your health care provider or public health authority and follow their instructions.

What rules does a tenant have to follow if they have returned from international travel and they don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms?

Travelers without symptoms: mandatory quarantine

If you have recently returned to Canada and you have no symptoms, you must QUARANTINE (self-isolate) yourself. This is mandatory. You are at risk of developing symptoms and infecting others.

Mandatory quarantine (self-isolate) means you MUST:

Go directly to your place of quarantine, without delay, and stay there for 14 days.
Do not go to school, work, other public areas and community settings.
Monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19.
Arrange to have someone pick up essentials like groceries or medication for you.
Do not have visitors.
Stay in a private place like your yard or balcony if you go outside for fresh air.
Keep a distance of at least 2 arm lengths (approximately 2 meters) from others.
You can take public transportation to get to your place of self-isolation after you arrive in Canada, but you must not stop on the way home, and ensure that you practice physical (social) distancing at all times.

If you develop symptoms within 14 days, you must then:

Isolate yourself from others.
Immediately call a health care professional or public health authority and:
- describe your symptoms and travel history.
- follow their instructions carefully.

How long will the hand sanitizer be available at my building?

We will continue to be refilling the hand sanitizer dispensers in our properties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, with the current explosion in demand for hand sanitizers was never expected by anyone in the industry, and for that reason, none of the players in the market were prepared for this demand. As such, there may be ongoing shortages, delays, or difficulties in our ability to access it. We thank you for your patience as we continue to work on this ongoing issue.

What happens if a tenant has a maintenance emergency?

If a tenant has a maintenance emergency, they need to contact their Resident Manager right away and the Resident Manager will assess the situation and if warranted, arrange for the repair to be completed.

Must a tenant be present in their apartment for a maintenance worker to fix an issue?

No, the tenant is not required to be present when maintenance is being done at their apartment. However, a tenant must provide permission for the work to be completed.

If a tenant is sick and needs help with groceries/food, how can Skyline Living help?

While Skyline Living frontline staff are doing their best to put their tenants first, helping with errands like this will be dependent on many factors such as availability and health of the staff. Skyline Living staff will also help our tenants to locate community partners and programs to aid them with their needs. Community and government resources are listed on our COVID-19 webpage - https://www.skylineliving.ca/covid-19/

If a senior in a building needs help, what can Skyline do?

Seniors that are adversely affected by the quarantine should let their Resident Managers know what their concerns and needs are, and the Resident Manager will try their best to connect the seniors with the community resources they require.

If a senior in a building needs help, how can a tenant help?

Tenants wishing to help their senior neighbours are encouraged to sign up with their Resident Manager to offer help for those that need it the most. This help may entail, walking pets, delivering groceries, etc.

If a neighbour needs help with groceries, how can a tenant help?

Tenants wishing to help their vulnerable neighbours are encouraged to sign up with their Resident Manager to offer help for those that need it the most. This help may entail, walking pets, delivering groceries, etc.

How does quarantine apply to someone living in the building?

There is a difference between the advice to quarantine (self-isolate) and the advice to isolate. It is important to note these measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Governments use quarantines to stop the spread of contagious diseases. Quarantines are for people or groups who don’t have symptoms but were exposed to the sickness. A quarantine keeps them away from others, so they don’t unknowingly infect anyone. In a building where many other people reside, it is important to stay in your apartment home to avoid the spread and contact with others, even if you don’t feel any symptoms.

Quarantines are be used during:

Pandemics: Larger than epidemics, generally global in nature and affect more people.

Should a tenant require assistance with food and basic requirements, they should get in touch with their Resident Manager immediately.

How can Skyline enforce social distancing so everyone in the building is safe?

There is no way that Skyline Living can enforce social distancing. Fortunately, most of our tenants are respecting these guidelines. If you have concerns or questions about this, please speak with your Resident Manager who can remind our tenants of the importance of social distancing.