The curve is flattening, restaurants are slowly opening up and businesses are making a planned comeback to physical workspaces.
For coworking space Venture Lane Boston, the reopening and return to normalcy meant chalking out a detailed plan to ensure its members feel safe, confident and healthy.
"There is initial anxiety and uncertainty of what the new reality looks like," said Venture Lane general manager Ross Palley. "Once folks break the seal and make the return, their mood and disposition goes back, energized by the summer."
Venture Lane reopened its doors to members on June 1, operating at a 25 percent capacity, while continuing to keep some of its programs like mentoring sessions remote. And like businesses across Massachusetts, the coworking company has measures in place to ensure occupants follow the guidelines and feel safe.
What's different?
All members were asked to sign a health declaration form before re-entering Venture Lane. The form asked members to confirm that they have not been in contact with anyone with Covid-19 or experienced symptoms within the last 14 days to the best of their knowledge. Members are also asked to use a symptom check app to track how they feel daily, and temperature checks are now a routine procedure.
Venture Lane also put together a playbook, a 22 page document covering policies ranging from rules for visitors and the guidelines to follow in the event someone tests positive. Members are also offered a free antibody testing by one of Venture Lane's member company, Meenta.
To aid social distancing with design, the space was reoriented with touch-free use of kitchen space, taped markers to ensure safe flow of traffic and constant reminders of the occupancy limits can be seen throughout.
While Venture Lane isn't at full occupancy dictated by the new rules, Palley expects a surge of people wanting to come back after July 4 and Labor Day.
"We do have early signs of folks coming back but not necessarily five days a week to start," Palley said. "We will figure out how to manage folks who want to be here. The natural extroverts who are ready and willing to make the return."
Click or swipe through the gallery below to take a peek inside Venture Lane.
