The majority of New York City residents live in apartments — in close quarters with neighbors above, below and on either side. And that has added to the challenges of slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the five boroughs.  

With no real blanket guidance or policy coming down from state or city government, the people who run those buildings have been figuring it out as they go -- whether it’s dealing with residents who’ve been diagnosed with the virus or working out day-to-day issues like food and newspaper deliveries.

Some big apartment complexes that are run by management companies and co-op boards have asked residents to disclose whether they’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or have been self-quarantining. 

Barry Newmark is the president of a co-op board in Downtown Brooklyn.

“We’re not specific about who the person is or which apartment they live in or which building they live in,” Newmark told WNYC. “But we do it within the context of reminding people of the safeguards that we all need to take. And those safeguards aren't too complicated.”

Residents are not required by law to disclose whether they’re sick, so this all depends on the honor system and self-reporting.

Under New York's stay at home order, moving is an essential service, so building managers have also had to deal with tenants moving in and out. 

One West Village co-op president said he encountered movers in his building who weren't using any gloves or masks and he ordered the move halted. Managers with Argo Real Estate, which manages 80 buildings across the city, said movers are still allowed but must wear gloves and sanitize apartments after they're finished. 

For day-to-day business like taking out the trash or handling package deliveries, many board members and management companies have been limiting the amount of outside people coming into the buildings. The Downtown Brooklyn buildings where Newmark runs the board have set up a table outside for all deliveries. And the folks at Argo Real Estate have been taking precautions like frequently cleaning high-traffic areas such as lobbies, mail rooms and elevators. 

Marina Higgins, who handles leasing and rentals for the company, said they’re also using some contingency plans they put into place after Hurricane Sandy, like stocking up on garbage bags and topping off fuel tanks.

“We did a lot of this advance planning before there really was a crisis,” Higgins said. “So a lot of it is communication, a lot of it is staff training, and a lot of it is just plain, hard work and scrubbing and keeping the buildings clean.”

With several major holidays approaching, some co-op boards are urging residents to exercise common sense. Newmark has been part of his building's community for over 30 years, and said many residents have been receptive to all the limits being imposed,

“I’ve lived through 9/11 here and I’ve lived through Sandy here and this is really the most community togetherness and helpfulness that I’ve seen,” Newmark said.