In the unfortunate scenario where someone in your office building or facility reports a COVID-19 diagnosis, the following steps can be taken to ensure your space is clean and disinfected. At S&L Cleaning Service, we’d be happy to step in and get you back up and running in the safest way possible. Take a look at our Disinfection Services and Electrostatic Services which offers a touch-free, 360 degree clean.
Cleaning and disinfecting your building or facility when someone is sick or has a COVID-19 diagnosis
- Close off any and all areas used by the person who is sick.
- Open outside doors and windows and use fans or other engineering controls to increase air circulation in the area. Wait 24 hours before you clean or disinfect. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible.
- Clean and disinfect the immediate workspace used by the person who is sick or diagnosed with COVID-19, such as the surfaces in their office or cubicle. If common areas such as bathrooms or shared items have already been routinely cleaned and disinfected, there is no need for additional action.
- Vacuum the space if needed. Use a vacuum equipped with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter and bags, if available.
- Do not vacuum a room or space that has people in it. Wait until the room or space is empty to vacuum, such as at night, for common spaces, or during the day for private rooms.
- Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect. For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floors or rugs, clean the surface with detergents or cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces, according to the textile’s label. After cleaning, disinfect with an appropriate disinfectant on EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)external icon. Soft and porous materials, like carpet, are generally not as easy to disinfect as hard and non-porous surfaces. EPA has listed a limited number of products approved for disinfection for use on soft and porous materials on List N. Follow the disinfectant manufacturer’s safety instructions (such as wearing gloves and ensuring adequate ventilation), for concentration level, application method and contact time. Allow sufficient drying time if vacuum is not intended for wet surfaces.
- While vacuuming, temporarily turn off in-room, window-mounted, or on-wall recirculation HVAC to avoid contamination of the HVAC units.
- Do NOT deactivate central HVAC systems. These systems tend to provide better filtration capabilities and introduce outdoor air into the areas that they serve.
- Once area has been appropriately disinfected, it can be opened for use.
- If more than 7 days since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary. Continue routine cleaning and disinfection. This includes everyday practices that businesses and communities normally use to maintain a healthy environment.
If your office has been lucky enough to keep the Coronavirus out, that’s great news! However, any office environment would benefit from routine commercial office cleaning services or a periodic deep clean of inside windows, carpets, lunchroom appliances, or floors. Call us today at 518.605.9024 for more information on our commercial cleaning, and disinfection services! Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs offices, medical facilities and commercial building clients enjoy a cleaner, safer environment for staff and customers.
