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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-deculture-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-deculture-in-non-healthcare-settings
Please note: this guide is general in nature. Employers should consider the specific conditions of individual workplaces and comply with all applicable laws, including the Work Health and Safety Act of 1974.
COVID-19 spreads from person to person through small droplets, aerosols, and direct contact. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches, surfaces and objects may also be contaminated with COVID-19. The risk of transmission is greatest when people are close to each other, especially in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when people spend a lot of time in the same room.
Keeping your distance, washing your hands regularly, maintaining good respiratory hygiene (using and handling paper towels), cleaning surfaces and keeping indoor spaces well ventilated are the most important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Increasing the frequency of cleaning the surfaces of general rooms can reduce the presence of viruses and the risk of exposure.
Over time, the risk of infection from COVID-19 contaminated environment will decrease. It is not clear when there is no virus risk, but research shows that in a non-medical environment, the risk of residual infectious virus may be significantly reduced after 48 hours.
In the event that someone has symptoms of COVID-19, it is recommended that you store your personal trash for 72 hours as an additional precaution.
This section provides general cleaning advice for non-medical institutions where no one has symptoms of COVID-19 or a confirmed diagnosis. For guidance on cleaning in the presence of COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed patient, please refer to the Cleaning Principles section after the case leaves the environment or area.
There are additional guidelines for employers and businesses to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reducing clutter and removing items that are difficult to clean can make cleaning easier. Increase cleaning frequency, use standard cleaning products such as detergent and bleach, pay attention to all surfaces, especially surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles, light switches, countertops, remote controls, and electronic devices.
At a minimum, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped twice a day, one of which should be done at the beginning or end of the working day. Depending on the number of people using the space, whether they enter and leave the environment, and whether they use hand washing and hand disinfection facilities, cleaning should be more frequent. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces is especially important in bathrooms and public kitchens.
When cleaning the surface, it is not necessary to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or clothing that exceeds the usual use.
Items should be cleaned in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There are no additional washing requirements other than the usual washing.
COVID-19 is unlikely to be spread through food. However, as a good hygiene practice, anyone who handles food should frequently wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before doing so.
Food business operators should continue to follow the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) guidelines on food preparation, hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) procedures and preventive measures (prerequisite plan (PRP)) for good hygiene practices.
Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces. Make sure you have suitable hand washing facilities, including tap water, liquid soap and paper towels or hand dryers. When using cloth towels, they should be used alone and washed in accordance with the washing instructions.
Unless individuals in the environment show symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive, there is no need to isolate waste.
Dispose of daily waste as usual, and put any used cloths or wipes in the “black bag” trash can. You don’t need to put them in an extra bag or store them for a period of time before throwing them away.
After a person with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed COVID-19 leaves the environment, the minimum PPE used to clean the area is disposable gloves and aprons. After removing all PPE, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
If the environmental risk assessment indicates that there may be a higher level of the virus (for example, people who are unwell staying overnight in a hotel room or boarding school dormitory), additional PPE may be necessary to protect the cleaner’s eyes, mouth, and nose. The local Public Health England (PHE) health protection team can provide advice on this.
Common areas that symptomatic people pass and stay for the least time but are not significantly contaminated by body fluids, such as corridors, can be cleaned thoroughly as usual.
Clean and disinfect all surfaces touched by a symptomatic person, including all areas that may be contaminated and frequently touched, such as bathrooms, door handles, telephones, handrails in corridors and stairwells.
Use disposable cloth or paper rolls and disposable mop heads to clean all hard surfaces, floors, chairs, door handles and sanitary accessories-think of a place, a wipe, and a direction.
Avoid mixing cleaning products together as this will produce toxic fumes. Avoid splashing and splashing when cleaning.
Any used cloth and mop heads must be disposed of and should be placed in a waste bag as described in the waste section below.
When items cannot be cleaned or washed with detergent, such as upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning should be used.
Wash items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest water setting and dry the items completely. Dirty clothes that have been in contact with people who are unwell can be washed together with other people’s items. To minimize the possibility of the virus spreading through the air, do not shake dirty clothes before washing.
According to the above cleaning guidelines, use common products to clean and disinfect any items used to transport clothing.
Personal waste generated by individuals with COVID-19 symptoms and waste generated from cleaning the places they have been (including personal protective equipment, disposable cloths, and used paper towels):
These wastes should be stored safely and away from children. It should not be placed in a public waste area until the negative test result is known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours.
If COVID-19 is confirmed, these wastes should be stored for at least 72 hours before being disposed of with normal waste.
If you need to remove waste before 72 hours in an emergency, you must treat it as Class B infectious waste. you must:
Do not include personal or financial information, such as your National Insurance number or credit card details.
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Post time: Sep-07-2021