Welcoming You Back Safely: What to Expect During the Yellow Phase at Gawthrop Greenwood

Like many of you, all of us at Gawthrop Greenwood are looking forward to returning to “normal” life.  During the transition to the yellow phase, we are gradually reopening with an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients, vendors and employees. In keeping with this commitment, we are meeting or exceeding all recommended safety and cleaning protocols on a daily basis.

Whenever it is possible to conduct business virtually, we will, but if you visit our offices, we want you to do so with confidence. We are sharing the following safety and cleaning protocols that will help keep our offices safe, and our clients and friends healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us. We will continue to keep you apprised of any changes, and we wish you and your family good health.

Thank you for entrusting us with your legal services.

West Chester Office           Greater Wilmington Office
610-696-8225                      302-777-5353

When Gawthrop Greenwood will reopen & who may visit our offices:

Gawthrop Greenwood will begin the process of reopening its West Chester and Greater Wilmington offices on Monday, June 8, 2020, in accordance with County, State and Federal guidelines.

• Under the yellow phase, guidelines encourage employees to work remotely whenever possible, so our attorneys will be working on staggered in-office schedules.
• Client meetings will be supported via telephone and virtual meetings whenever possible.
• If an in-person meeting is deemed essential, all visitors must schedule an appointment.
• To preserve everyone’s safety, walk-in visitors and non-essential visitors will not be permitted to enter the building.

What you can expect if you have an appointment to meet in our offices:

Our offices have undergone deep cleaning and sanitizing treatments prior to reopening, and will receive daily professional cleanings, including in lobby and meeting room spaces that are accessible to clients.

• All visitors are required to wear a face mask on the premises, including when entering the building.
• To preserve the health and safety of all, we will deny entry to any individual not wearing a mask.
• Individuals who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition (including children under the age of 2 years) may enter the premises.
• All clients and visitors must maintain a social distance of 6 feet at all times.
• Our employees will not be using the elevator unless necessary, and we ask that clients reduce usage when possible. If you must use an elevator, please ensure that no more than 2 people are in the elevator standing no less than 6 feet apart at one time.
• Clients and visitors are asked to use the restrooms located in our atrium outside our lobby. Signage will be posted to assist you.
• In meeting rooms, chairs will be reduced to ensure seating is 6 feet apart. Conference room tables have been marked to ensure appropriate spacing between individuals. At the conclusion of a meeting, the area will be sanitized.
• All magazines, pens and paper in meeting rooms and the lobby have been removed.

What you can expect from our attorneys & staff:

Prior to reporting to work each day, each of our employees must take his/her temperature and report it to the firm. If an employee has a temperature of 100.5 degrees or higher or is experiencing any other symptoms of illness, they will notify the firm and stay home until tested and/or cleared by a physician to return to the office.

All employees must put on a face mask before entering the office. Upon entering the office, each employee must wash his/her hands or use hand sanitizer, and will wash their hands at least once every hour while in the office.

We are rearranging work areas to maintain social distancing, and all employees are required to sanitize their workspaces.

Employees are encouraged to wear disposable gloves when opening the mail, scanning documents or in high touch areas.

If we discover that the firm has been exposed to a person with a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19, any area of the building where the infected individual was will be closed off before cleaning and disinfecting that area as well as common areas. Employees, clients and visitors who were in close contact with the infected individual will be identified and notified. If the employee remains asymptomatic, the employee will be asked to work remotely until tested and/or cleared by his/her doctor to return to work.

If any employee becomes sick during the workday, s/he will be sent home immediately, and the process of contact tracing will begin within the office. The employee will not be permitted to return until tested and/or cleared by his/her doctor to return to work.

All of these health and safety measures are in place to provide confidence, clarity and comfort to our clients. We consider it a privilege to serve your legal needs, and look forward to continuing to provide the experienced, respected and responsive service that is the hallmark of our firm. Rest assured, we are open for business and ready to assist you.