Government Advice and Environmental Cleaning Recommendation
How to clean educational establishments where there were children, students or staff with suspected cases of COVID-19
Coronavirus symptoms are similar to a flu-like illness and include cough, fever, or shortness of breath. Once symptomatic, all surfaces that the suspected case has come into contact with must be cleaned using disposable cloths and household detergents, according to current recommended workplace legislation and practice.
These include:
- all surfaces and objects which are visibly contaminated with body fluids
- all potentially contaminated high-contact areas such as toilets, door handles, telephones
Public areas where a symptomatic individual has passed through and spent minimal time in (such as corridors) but which are not visibly contaminated with body fluids do not need to be specially cleaned and disinfected. If a person becomes ill in a shared space, these should be cleaned as detailed above.
Windows to be opened and the air conditioning switched off, until it has been cleaned with detergent and disinfectant. Once this process has been completed, the room can be put back in use immediately.
Preparation
The responsible person undertaking the cleaning with detergent and disinfectant should be familiar with these processes and procedures:
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- collect all cleaning equipment and clinical waste bags before entering the room
- any cloths and mop heads used must be disposed of as single use items
- before entering the room, perform hand hygiene then put on a disposable plastic apron and gloves
Cleaning process
Use disposable cloths or paper roll or disposable mop heads, to clean and disinfect all hard surfaces or floor or chairs or door handles, equipment or sanitary fittings in the room, following the below:
- Use a neutral purpose detergent followed by disinfection (1000 ppm av.cl.)
- follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants
- any cloths and mop heads used must be disposed of as single use items
On leaving the area
- discard detergent or disinfectant solutions safely at disposal point
- all waste from suspected contaminated areas should be removed from the room and quarantined until patient test results are known (this may take 48 hours); if the patient is confirmed to have COVID-19 further advice should be sought from the local HPT
- clean, dry and store re-usable parts of cleaning equipment, such as mop handles
- remove and discard PPE as clinical waste
- perform hand hygiene
A deep cleaning service can be provided at any schools request.
Easy Clean School Clients: A temporary increased cleaning specification can be provided to include daily sanitisation of door handles, doors, cubicle surrounds within toilets etc.
Please contact lindseyritchie@easyclean-contractors.co.uk for further information and a quotation.