Guidelines for Cleaning & Disinfection

Employees MUST NOT report to work if they have symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or loss of the sense of taste/smell. If in doubt call the COVID Hotline at 462-6843

Employees absent from work due to suspected COVID-19 MUST NOT return to work unless cleared by a Medical Doctor.

Inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the work place, if an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, while maintaining confidentiality.

Instruct employees who are well, but know they have been exposed to COVID-19 to notify their supervisor

If an employee is sick send them home immediately. Clean and disinfect surfaces in their work place. Others at the facility with close contact (i.e. within 6ft) of the employee during this time is considered exposed.

Employers can consider the use of a touchless infrared thermometer to check the temperature of their employees each day before they enter. Any person who has a temperature of 99°F and above, should not be allowed to return until they have no fever and no evidence of COVID-19 symptoms. *Follow guidelines on Taking Temperature

Wearing a facemask is mandatory by all employees. The face mask must cover your nose and mouth.

All Employees and Customers MUST perform hand hygiene before entering a workplace.

Hand sanitization stations should be placed at key points in the facility.

Cleaning vs. Disinfecting

Cleaning is the removal of visible dirt or particles done on a routine and continual basis. This is typically done using detergent and water.

Disinfecting is the killing or destruction of germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi) on surfaces using physical or chemical means. There must be compliance of contact time when using a chemical disinfectant.

What to Clean and Disinfect

Examples of frequently touched surfaces:

Desk, chairs, light switches, tabletops, counters, handrails, night stands, fridge

doors, telephones, keyboards, credit card machines, stairwells, elevators

buttons, touch screen surfaces, key pads, remote controls, bedrails, sinks, faucets, toilets, toilet handles, etc

Linens- clothing, sheets, etc.

Example of minimally touched surfaces

Floor, walls, ceiling, curtains, blinds, etc…

How to Clean and Disinfect

Disinfectants should be applied using a damp cloth and the surfaces allowed to air dry.

Damp mopping is preferable to dry mopping

Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting.

If surfaces are dirty, they should first be cleaned using a detergent (soap) and water

After cleaning, surfaces should be disinfected using an approved disinfectant.

· Visit Central Board of Health Facebook Page for a list of approved disinfectants

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfecting products.

Avoid creating splashes when cleaning.

Do Not mix chemicals!

When to Clean and Disinfect

Clean and disinfect before and after use by each person

Clean and disinfect when visibly soiled

Use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE):

Staff should wear disposable gloves and aprons when cleaning and handling garbage.

Gloves should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area.

Immediately after gloves are removed, hands must be washed.

Hand Hygiene:

Staff must clean hands frequently, including after removing gloves, after contact with an ill person, after using the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, between task, etc.

Hands must be washed with liquid soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 70% should be used.

Cleaning and Disinfecting a Space Occupied by a Case (Confirmed/Suspected)

Cleaning an area with normal household disinfectant after someone with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) has left will reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

If an area can be kept closed and secure for 72 hours, wait until this time has passed for cleaning as the amount of virus living on surfaces will have reduced significantly by 72 hours.

The minimum PPE to be worn for cleaning an area where a person with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) is disposable gloves and an apron. Hands should be washed with soap and water for 20 seconds after all PPE has been removed.

If an area has been heavily contaminated, such as with visible bodily fluids, from a person with coronavirus (COVID-19), consider using protection for the eyes, mouth and nose, as well as wearing gloves and an apron.

Wherever possible, wear disposable gloves and aprons for cleaning. These should be double-bagged, then stored securely for 72 hours then thrown away in the regular rubbish after cleaning is finished.

Using a disposable cloth, first clean hard surfaces with warm soapy water. Then disinfect these surfaces with the cleaning products you normally use. Pay particular attention to frequently touched areas and surfaces, such as bathrooms, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells and door handles.

Any cloth used must be disposed of and should be put into waste bags as outlined below.

When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning should be used.

Any items that are heavily contaminated with body fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing should be disposed of.

Wash hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, and after removing gloves, aprons and other protection used while cleaning.

Laundry

Wash items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest water setting and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person should be washed separately.

Do not shake dirty laundry, this minimises the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.

Clean and disinfect anything used for transporting laundry with your usual products, in line with the cleaning guidance above.

Housekeepers should change from their street clothes into work attire and change at the end of the workday prior to departure

All work clothes should be laundered after each use

Waste Disposal

Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been (including disposable cloths and tissues):

Should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full.

The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.

Wherever possible, wear disposable gloves and aprons for cleaning. These should be double-bagged, then stored securely for 72 hours then thrown away in the regular rubbish after cleaning is finished.

It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until the individual’s test results are known.

Waste should be stored safely. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until negative test results are known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours.

If the individual tests negative, this can be put in with the normal waste.

If the individual tests positive, then store it for at least 72 hours and put in with the normal waste

If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, contact the National Solid Waste Management Authority for schedule of infectious waste disposal.

GUIDELINES: CORRECT WAY TO REMOVE GLOVES

Pinch and hold the outside of the glove near the wrist area

Peel downwards, away from the wrist, turn glove inside out

Pull the glove away until it is removed from the hand and hold the inside-out glove with the glove hand

With your un-gloved hand, slide your finger(s) under the wrist of the remaining glove, taking care not to touch the outside of the glove.

Again, peel downwards, away from the wrist, turning the glove inside out

Continue to pull the glove down and over the inside-out glove being held in your gloved hand

Fully remove

Dispose of carefully in a lined, closed bin

Perform hand hygiene immediately after.