Zaarly is a marketplace for homeowners and service providers to connect and get work done. Our role is to provide a safe place to communicate and pay for projects, provide moderation and feedback, and leave the details up to our users. Here are our recommendations for keeping things going while still looking out for each other’s safety in this time of trouble.
1. Follow best practices and recommendations from the CDC, health departments and other healthcare authorities. These include things like washing hands regularly, using sanitizer on tools, materials, and clothing, practicing social distancing, and wearing gloves and/or masks. It might be best to wait on some types of projects out of concern for the welfare of everyone involved. We are not an authority on proper health practices, but we hope our users will join us in being as healthy and safe as possible at all times.
2. Respect local, state and federal regulations regarding the COVID-19 virus. These are constantly evolving, but we ask that you act wisely with respect to ordinances in your area. Many have asked what types of jobs should be considered essential vs non-essential. These designations are defined and enforced differently in different locations, and we are all responsible to know the local rules. At this time and in most locations, residential maintenance and repair services are considered essential. It will be up to the homeowner and service provider to decide if a project can or should be completed under the circumstances. It is more important than ever to set clear expectations, and to have a plan in place if the local laws change from one day to the next.
3. Communicate openly and honestly regarding social distancing during this outbreak. Each member of the Zaarly community has unique needs during this unprecedented time. We encourage our homeowners and service providers to communicate clearly with each other, and to be honest about their ability to accommodate each other’s needs. That can mean conducting an estimate appointment outdoors, requiring extra sanitization practices, or cancelling a project that you’re uncomfortable moving forward with. If you’re ever unsure, just ask! Zaarly homeowners and service providers are honest, open, and genuinely want to be accommodating to one another!
4. Respect yourself and others. There is no playbook for a situation like this. With health recommendations and local regulations constantly being updated, opinions about what is safe or responsible can range widely from one individual to another. We are not in a position to tell our homeowners or service providers what precautions are best for them, but we do ask our community to show respect for those personal decisions. If your experience is different, please let us know.
We know this is a challenging time for many, and will continue to do all we can to provide support to our amazing Zaarly community, as you support one another.