COVID-19: How cleaning and disinfecting helps you get back to business

COVID-19 commercial cleaningTo combat the spread of COVID-19, companies have closed their facilities and switched to working remotely. Though the end of the tunnel may feel far away, this quarantine won’t last forever. Businesses should start planning ahead for returning to work. With this in mind, check out our COVID-19 commercial cleaning, disinfecting and maintenance checklist for getting back to business.

 

Clean during closure:

As many offices have closed or cut back to a skeleton staff, more multi-tenant buildings have dramatically reduced their cleaning and maintenance schedules, despite still being open. This has created more vulnerable points of exposure for employees still on site, whether they are briefly passing through to pick something up, or they are still required to come in as essential workers. As a result, consider regular disinfecting of high-touch areas, which are essential to prevent the spread of unwanted bacteria and viruses.

Starting fresh:

Before returning to your facility to regular working hours, consider scheduling a deep disinfection session. Although scientists are still studying to establish how long the virus remains infectious in the air and on various surfaces, so far the range is from several hours to several days. A thorough disinfection of your facility will protect against any lingering pathogens. Only disinfectants certified by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, should be used. This is certainly a hygienic way to welcome back building and office occupants, while providing peace of mind.

Stock up:

To maintain high hygienic standards for your returning team, essential supplies are needed to get your facility up and running again smoothly. We recommend sourcing items like toilet paper, paper towels, soap and hand sanitizers. Expect significant delays with hand sanitizers due to high demand and manufacturers falling behind on production due to shortage of supplies.

Prepare for a second (or third) wave of COVID-19:

Though business hours may return to normal, experts are anticipating multiple waves of outbreaks over the next 18 months. So it’s more important than ever to maintain vigorous hygienic conditions at your facility. Encourage regular hand-washing and other respiratory health practices among your team. As part of your emergency preparedness plan, have disinfectant wipes or sprays available for employee use, to allay any employee concerns during office hours. Experts also recommend maintaining a two-week stock of hygiene supplies (like soap and toilet paper) as a buffer against future shortages. Also consider increasing day-porter services to proactively clean high-traffic areas such as lobbies and restrooms, where infections are most likely. Smaller office spaces may also want to contract porter services to wipe down the high-touch office areas as well.

Lastly, at SparkleTeam, we have incorporated the suggestions listed above into our daily cleaning, which now means constant disinfection, ensuring a safe and hygienic work environment. Please contact us if you would like to discuss.