When the next wave of COVID-19 comes through sometime in late 2020, facilities that offer shared workspace (formerly known as co-working space) could be required to only offer offices with doors or executive suites.
This is when it comes…not if it comes.
In a report published April 30, researchers at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) laid out three scenarios for what the next 18 to 24 months might look like.
Changes Will Be Many
Since this seems to be the case it would seem to be logical that if the economy is going to go back to the depression era by the end of 2020 that we go back to the era when business people were all in offices and the open area workspace was saved for data processing or manufactory.
This next wave of COVID-19 will be nothing to joke about. Many people who served the current round of the pandemic are not insured they will not get it again. And, with the epidemic starting earlier in the cold weather the spread is going to be even more widespread.
Will the economy be able to take it? No! Will businesses have to stay open this time? Yes!
Got To Be Safer This Time
What does this mean for the hundreds of thousands of businesses using shared workspace and executive office space?
Well, it should be a safe bet that the Open Space shared desk space will be done away with. I know..it will shock a lot of the cargo shorts and flip flop crowd….but, hey…this is business and it will be serious.
Move To Offer More Offices With Doors
In order for shared-workspace facilities to survive, they are going to have to invest in converting the millions of square feet of open space back into office space with doors. GASP…yes…DOORS!? You know those things that you close that keep things out and things in!
The concept of open co-working space has probably run its course. Before the coronavirus came alive in mid-2019, the interest in the open workspace environment was falling off.
The demand for privacy from shared workspace office suite tenants is pushing the owners of shared workspace facilities to invest more in glassed-in or windowed offices.
This video from Fortune.com outlines a few thoughts on how business leaders are going to deal with the office situation when they return to work.
Here are some more additional…and very interesting…thoughts on what Shared Workspaces can expect once businesses return.
What to expect on your first day back in a touch-free, socially distant office
Changes That Should Be Made
Among the changes being considered: wider corridors with one-way foot traffic, better air filtration, touchless elevator controls, antimicrobial materials in new construction, and video conferencing, even within the office, to avoid the conference room.
Shared Workspace Health Cops
Get ready for the health cop. Shared Workspaces will have to deputize someone to be in charge of making sure their tenants follow the new rules about distancing. And, if it is determined that a member of a shared workspace is not feeling well, the Health Cop enforces the policy and asked the sick person to leave immediately.
There is going to be a LOT of changes. Many of them will be made after businesses move back into their shared workspace.
Guess we all will have to wait and see what will happen.
Let me know how I can help.
