COVID-19 has shifted priorities, not just for individuals, but also for companies. In the age of coronavirus, businesses are rethinking what matters most, placing more of an emphasis on business continuity and health and safety. With this new mindset, many once highly sought amenities are no longer in demand. A large state-of-the-art gym or on-site bar and restaurant no longer has the same appeal it once did. Instead, amenities like these are at the top of companies' to-do lists.
1. Strong Connectivity
Companies have always wanted reliable cellular and Wi-Fi service in their offices, but post-COVID, it's an absolute necessity to ensure that employees working at home can easily communicate with team members still in the office. Distributed Antenna Systems or DAS that eliminate dead zones and boost signal speed are in big demand as a result.
2. Touch-less Technology
Being able to walk through doors without touching handles, to turn on a faucet with a wave of your hand and to verbally tell an elevator where to take you without pushing a button means more than just convenience now. Buildings equipped with the latest touch-less technologies help to cut down on the risk of COVID-19 transmission and mean less cleaning.
3. Better Ventilation Systems
Top HEPA air filtration systems are capable of eliminating 99.97 percent of all particles .3 microns in size and larger. As a result, they could remove COVID-19 droplets from the air. Although this does not guarantee that people in an office won't get sick if a coworker has the virus, it does provide some peace of mind that employees are breathing cleaner air.
4. Safer Materials
Some building materials like brass, copper and certain laminates have antimicrobial properties. As with HEPA filters, these materials do not prevent coronavirus spread completely; however, they could offer some degree of protection, making their presence in offices appealing. Self-cleaning surfaces used in hospitals could also become popular in the months and years to come. For example, protective antimicrobial covers used in surgical spaces could find their way onto desks and counter tops in offices. Carpeting and other textiles are far less appealing in the age of coronavirus, as they can be difficult to disinfect.
5. Traditional Amenities With a Safer Spin
Gyms, cafes and recreation areas still offer appeal for employees who need to continue to come into the office. Steps can be taken to make these amenities safer. For example, seats in a cafeteria can be spaced more than six feet apart. Workout centers can take appointments and thoroughly clean equipment in between.
6. Smart Cleaning Technology
Smart buildings are already popular due to their ability to increase productivity and control costs. In the era of coronavirus, some smart technologies can also promote employee health and well-being. Sensors that monitor foot traffic patterns can help companies spot areas where social distancing is most important and places that require more frequent, deeper cleaning. When cleaning crews arrive, they can use this info to identify which workstations have been used during a particular day, focusing their efforts on disinfecting.
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