Essential Services Remain Open to Support Public Health & Safety

The Coronavirus is changing the way we do business and daily developments affect us all. Here’s what we know, what we’re doing and how we expect it to impact the business of business.

1. The Province of Ontario “Stay Safe Stay Home Policy”

Landscape services are “essential and life sustaining”. Garden Grove has identified the company’s pandemic response and safety plan as critical to mission success. Our teams work to ensure that our commercial and multi-residential (condo) client properties health won’t suffer during the interim, and with Garden Grove’s strict personal and public health protocols in place, there is reduced risk of exposure.

On March 23rd, 2020, we received the list of Essential Workplaces as published by the Premier of Ontario, which outlines business activity that can continue in the province. In the document under section #13, #18, and #28 allowances were made for our sector to continue its work.

This list was further updated on April 3, 2020 outlining business activity that can continue in the province. In the document under #1 & 20, allowances are made for our Maintenance sector to continue its work as we supply property maintenance services for the commercial and residential property management industry. This excerpt taken from the update reads:

Supply chains

1. Businesses that supply other essential businesses or essential services within Ontario... with the support, products, supplies, systems, or services, including processing, packaging, warehousing, distribution, delivery, and maintenance necessary to operate.

Maintenance

20. Maintenance, repair and property management services strictly necessary to manage and maintain the safety, security, sanitation and essential operation of institutional, commercial, industrial and residential properties and buildings.

Understandably, we must operate differently moving forward and as a result have issued new COVID-19 protocols for our staff with strict guidelines to be followed.

2. Garden Grove’s “Protection of Public Health” Policy

Garden Grove will continue to protect public health in performance of only essential services and treatments to lawns, landscapes and green spaces to 1) reduce the transmission of deadly diseases through rodents and pests like rats and mice, mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas; 2) keep public and private areas and pathways free from garbage, obstruction and potential hazards; 3) maintain green spaces to increase security by reducing crime and vandalism; 4) proactively manage late-season snow and ice; and 5) address storm damage, weather events, and flooding.

The Importance of Maintenance Services

At a time when much of the country is sheltering in place, why is it important to maintain your properties?

SAFETY

Even during closures, it is important that your sites are safe and accessible for employees (however limited or minimal their access), interior maintenance workers who may be monitoring or repairing dire issues, and any unforeseen emergency situations.

SECURITY

Landscape maintenance aids in property security in two key ways. First, keeping your properties clean, clear, and visible so your surveillance systems are not impeded helps improve security. Second, regular maintenance is a deterrent to vandals and looters who recognize that the site has some “activity.”

PRESERVATION

Without regular maintenance, extensive damage can quickly occur on properties in the form of overgrowth and damage, increased insect activity, blocked drains, etc. The costs for repairing these damages can add up quickly.

OPTICS

With widespread concern about the impact COVID-19 closings will have on businesses nationwide, you send a strong message by keeping up with property maintenance: “We’re still here and ready to serve you.”

We are all in this together, and stand with you and your business to stop the rapid transmission of COVID-19, while performing essential functions necessary for the health, safety and well-being of our communities and families, and the great places we live, work and play.

We continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 across our region and we will update you in the moment.

These are truly unprecedented times.
Be well. Stay safe.

David Lammers, President and Owner

Paul Lammers, Vice-President and Owner