The Untold Stories from COVID-19

19 May 2020 living tips


“We will get through this together” is a message frequently heard in times of national crisis. The same goes for the current COVID-19 situation, which has undeniably had broad effects on everybody globally. This situation developed over the course of just 5 months, and we are still unable to determine when it will come to an end. Nonetheless, people are willing to adapt and this will ultimately allow them to navigate to the end point of this state of affairs. 

The same can be said of PLUS. In our capacity as the driving force behind the management of more than 200 condominiums and gated communities throughout the country, we have been aware of information pertaining to the spread of this virus since December last year. 

Initially, we publicised guidelines about preventive practices, self-care and precautions to be taken; the response was similar to ones taken during previous, more general disease outbreaks such as those associated with dengue fever, the Zika virus and influenza. But having closely monitored this current outbreak, we quickly came to realise that the situation was far from normal.

Even in such a time of crisis and in the face of unwelcome developments, PLUS stood by its residents to offer service from the heart and attention to every detail. It worked hard so residents may feel safe and confident at all times; as they go about with their lives, they can trust that PLUS will be right beside them to deliver care.

Let us take a look at the measures that PLUS had taken to keep residents safe, and the ways that we have made commitments that went beyond duty. Initiatives have been taken even before the situation emerged in Thailand and continue to be implemented. We also stand ready to continue caring for our residents, so that everyone may pull through these trying times together.

 *Meeting on initiatives for residents’ well-being; picture taken before the government issued social distancing guidelines.

Establishes War Room to combat the virus

In January, when the outbreak in China intensified and the number of newly infected persons continued to rise, PLUS executives called in representatives from every division for gruelling meetings. The evaluation then was that the outbreak could reach Thailand at any time, and thus there was a need to come up with ways to prevent as well as accommodate situations that were beyond control, for the purpose of keeping the residents and the staff safe.

Brainstorming yielded proactive measures and defensive measures that were thought to be the best actions to take, for the purpose of managing the situation that had developed by then. Communication was made with residents so they may be aware of the state of the virus’s spread. 

Residents were also informed of operational guidelines that were being updated day-to-day in keeping with how the situation was developing; this prompted the residents to make preparations alongside us. 

The situation started to increase in severity as the number of infected persons in Thailand continued to climb. Proactive measures that we have established were aimed at preventing the virus from entering each project. Health masks and alcohol gels were readied for residents. The frequency of cleaning was increased for spots that were often touched. 

The common areas received ozone treatment and were sprayed with disinfectant. Individuals had their temperatures checked before entering the building. Parcels and food were now only being delivered to a designated spot. Residents were asked to refrain from receiving guests who had traveled from risk countries. 

Self-care manuals were issued for use by residents who find themselves to be at risk of infection. The aforementioned are not an exhaustive list of the measures taken.



Defensive measures included facilitating convenience for residents with suspected infection to access the hospital, coordinating disease control work so that contaminated areas are immediately disinfected and re-treated within a week, and servicing residents who were in 14-day home quarantine by delivering food to their room per schedule and by collecting infectious waste from the room where a quarantine was taking place.

More recently, some territories were locked down and travel between certain subdistricts were banned. In Phuket, for example, PLUS staff were working at projects in Krathu and Pa Tong districts. The day before the provincial administration issued the lockdown order, we had prepared a supply of food and sleeping quarters for our personnel, who were divided into teams that would be able to cover shifts and maintain various systems and security. 

The teams meant that personnel were on site at each residential project around the clock, on standby and ready to assist residents with emergencies. As such, the teams were able to accommodate the situation immediately when authorities issued the lockdown order. Residents were able to take heart in the fact that PLUS was standing by to care for them no matter how the situation developed.


The aforementioned initiatives emerged from within the war room, where the PLUS team and project personnel regularly held meetings to readjust initiatives to accommodate changes in the situation.

Acknowledgement of effort and torrent of appreciation

The fact that we preemptively made preparations to handle situations that may arise meant that staff at each project were able to stringently observe guidelines and smoothly manage the various major and minor events that occurred. Residents acknowledged the attention that PLUS was paying to them, and provided their cooperation in return. 

They also expressed their thanks to all members of staff for taking good care of them and for not leaving them behind. Staff members became awash in a torrent of goodwill from residents. The residents’ expression of appreciation lifted the spirits of the staff members, enabling them to continue to perform during the difficult time. Below are some of the tokens of appreciation which the residents had sent to the staff. 


When residents have to go into 14-day home quarantines

“….the staff brought me a burger and a blue lemon drink. Khun Mee, the manager, brought me nourishments and a relief kit and said to me that the items were a mix of those prepared by the management and ones that were personally prepared. It really pays to be a Sansiri resident, as you can receive this kind of great after-sale attention from PLUS. Just how many brands are able to elicit this kind of comment from its residents…” – resident at Siri Place Suksawat Rama 3

“Each day, I looked forward to the item deliveries. Receiving the items provided for an enjoyable experience and helped to ward off stress during quarantine. The staff makes inquiries about my condition each day when they deliver the items, which also came with notes containing support messages. I was truly impressed.” – resident at My condo Sukhumvit 52

“the compound manager called to ask how I was doing and about my health, seeing that I have just returned from abroad and had to self-quarantine for 14 days. She was concerned for my well-being and told me to let her know if I wanted something to eat or help with anything. The next day, she called to ask whether I wanted coffee, as she remembered that I liked iced coffee. Such lovely service.” – resident at Kanasiri Salaya-Pinklao

When residents notice the preparedness of the management

“Luckily, the aforesaid incident was known and Condo Management had cleaned up the possible infected areas. We appreciate the Management has taken appropriate counter measures in absolutely right time. – resident at Life Ratchadapisek

“PLUS was very well prepared. Thermometers were purchased for reselling to residents who wanted to take their own temperatures. They were able to supply everything I inquired about. I was impressed.” – resident at My Condo Sukhumvit 52

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the PLUS team for working professionally and for the timely solving of issues; this apply both to proactive and defensive actions taken against COVID-19.” – resident at Life Ratchadapisek

“I want to commend the condo’s juristic person team for providing alcohol sanitiser at the condo doorway and inside the lift. The lifts have a limit on the number of passengers, and a checklist was issued for more frequent cleaning and disinfecting of lifts. All of this made me feel very secure.” – resident at ONYX condominium.


Sharing moral support, positivity and good will among one another

Although the situation has not quite been resolved, everybody has adjusted their behavior towards a ‘new normal’. Having noticed how staff members continued to carry out their duties without fail, some residents contributed health masks, alcohol gel, food, fruits, snacks, ice cream, pizzas and supplies of dried food to members of staff.

Meanwhile, staff members realised the residents have not been able to go out much, and made efforts to bring over fresh produce from the ‘Backyard’ vegetable plots on project premises to hand out to residents, so the latter could use the produce for cooking. 

Staff at some projects made the rounds to visit residents at their doors to hand over snacks, drinks or small items and to ease the residents’ feeling of isolation. Visits were made in accordance with physical distancing guidelines and with each staff member having put on appropriate protection. These efforts were made so residents would recognise that we continued to stand by their side. 

Within the organization, staff members supported one another in all aspects. Executives were aware of every staff member’s importance and were looking after everyone. Partner firms, housekeeping staff, security personnel and gardeners were also looked after and provided with moral support.

The on-site staff could be likened to a frontline force that is at the heart of efforts to assist the residents at each community during this time. Having appreciated the organisation’s assistance and solidarity with its employees, the staff became further emboldened and invigorated as they steadfastly remained by the side of the residents at each project. 

Caring for the occupants at their respective communities could be likened to caring for family members at their second home – a task which the staff performs to the best of their abilities. 


“I like it when we act on something and elicit positive feedback from the residents. I feel proud for being able to make them happy.” – building manager at D Condo Campus Dome-Rangsit

“I feel uplifted when we are trusted by the residents to provide security service to them. Right now I am happy because the residents have placed confidence in us.” – security guard at THE LINE Phahon-Pradipat

“Upon reaching a point, a number of the clients became impressed with our performance and offered us their words of praise or sometimes give us small items like health masks. The staff would become encouraged and feel that their actions made the residents feel secure and left them with a good impression about our service.” – the manager at ONYX condominium


“We would like to thank all executives and the generous higher-ups for providing the Phuket team with relief bags and moral support. Encouragement was also received from fellow staff in Bangkok. Although the situation in Phuket currently involves stringent application of measures, we remain high in spirit and are ready to perform our job of caring for our residents to the best of our ability.” 

A remark from the management at residential projects in Phuket during a 14-day imposition of a lockdown banning travel between territories.


Often, times of adversity bring with them favourable developments 

A rap portion composed by F.HERO in the song “Cha Mai Ting Kan” by Cheewin "Boyd" Kosiyabong can be translated as “…becoming a situation of staying home and sleeping continually, with time slowing down for both hands of the clock. But would you believe the darker the sky, the more stars you see…” By the same token, the COVID-19 situation has allowed us to witness many positive things such as the compassion and kindness people have shown one another.

Lastly, we would like to express moral support to the healthcare personnel who remain fully committed to their work, and to everybody who are still staying home to stop the disease. Let us remind ourselves to provide our cooperation, monitor ourselves and observe the measures and stipulations for stopping the spread of the virus.

Let us look forward to the normal days when we can go back to life as usual.

We will always be here. Because you are family.

#AlwaysWithYou
#PlusProperty
#PlusLivingManagement 

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Plus Property is a full-service professional real estate agency that provides comprehensive assistance in reselling/letting properties and the purchasing of second-hand condominium units. With more than 20 years of experience, PLUS’s team of quality professionals manages residential and commercial properties and also manages projects’ sales and marketing, heeding to all types of demand. For additional information about our services, call 02 688 7555, or click here. 


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