Living with roommates, family, and others

Coronavirus is very contagious. We share the risk of infection most closely with the people we live with. It is important to have an honest conversation. You must share expectations for hygiene, going outside, and physical distancing. 

Involve both children and older adults in your home with these best practices. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a Household Action Plan you can also use.

For complete guidance, see FAQs for occupied apartments and residences with sublet rooms from the Department of Public Health.

You or your landlord must not add new tenants to a shared bedroom during the pandemic.

You can hire in-home services, like housekeeping, cooking, or maintenance. You must follow safety guidelines when hiring in-home services.

If you live in an apartment building, you must wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart in all common areas (hallways, laundry rooms, elevators). Apartment gyms may be open, depending on how many COVID-19 cases there are in the community.

You can use outdoor common spaces at your apartment building if you wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart from others.

If you have visitors, outdoors is better than indoors. The number of people allowed depends on how many COVID-19 cases there are in the community.

Create a shared emergency contact list. Make sure to include information about the nearest hospital.

Consider creating a quarantine area within your home for people who are sick.

Coordinate errands, such as trips to the grocery store or pharmacy. Considering having 1 healthy member of the household pick up items for everyone.

Agree to physical distancing when leaving the house.

Consider how to interact safely when you visit businesses during the pandemic.

Have conversations with friends and loved ones. Encourage them to take coronavirus precautions seriously.

See guidance about going out during the pandemic.

The Department of Public Health has guidance in multi-family residences.

The Department of Public Health has guidance for people living in SROs, supportive housing, transitional housing, and shelters, and their staff.