1. Cleaning must be done using appropriate protective personal equipment (gloves, mask, cleaning aprons). While working, cleaning staff must not touch their mouth, nose or eyes with their hands, smoke or eat.
2. The correct way of applying and disposing of equipment must be followed.
3. Discarded equipment must be treated as potentially infectious material and disposed of in accordance with national legislation. (These should be double bagged, then stored securely for 72 hours and then disposed of in the normal rubbish after cleaning is complete).
4. If non-disposable protective equipment is used, it is mandatory that it be disinfected with appropriate disinfectants (e.g. 0.1% sodium hypochlorite or 70% ethanol) after each use.
5. If an area is heavily contaminated ( visible body fluids,etc.) by a person with coronavirus (COVID-19), wash hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds and after removing gloves, feet and other protection used during cleaning. It is emphasized that glove use is not a substitute for hand washing, which is the most important means of prevention.
6. If other disinfectants are used, the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed. When using disinfectants, the area must be well ventilated. If an alternative disinfectant is used within the organisation this must be tested and ensured to be effective against virus envelopes.
7. Avoid large droplet and spray size when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
8. All potentially contaminated surfaces, such as walls and windows, toilet bowl and bathroom surfaces, should be carefully cleaned using a disposable cloth with warm soapy water. Then disinfect these surfaces with the cleaning products you normally use. Pay special attention to areas and surfaces that are frequently touched, such as bathrooms, rails in hallways and stairwells, and door handles.
9. All fabrics (curtains, sheets, etc.) should be washed in very hot water (90oC) with detergent added. If this is not possible due to the nature of the fabrics, special products containing sodium hypochlorite or disinfectants specifically for these fabrics should be used.
10. Disposable cloths/fabrics or cleaning paper and mops with detachable heads shall be used for cleaning and disinfecting all hard surfaces, floors, chairs, knobs, etc.
11. Cloths/fabricks, paper and mop heads should be disinfected after the work is completed, dried thoroughly and stored. In the case where a confirmed outbreak has occurred, they should be disposed of after each use in special bags and treated as infectious waste .Any items that are highly contaminated with body fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing should be discarded.
If the person is SARS-CoV-2 negative, the items are placed with the normal waste.
If the individual is SARS-CoV-2 positive, store for at least 72 hours and dispose with normal waste.
If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, arrange for collection as Class B infectious waste either by your local waste collection authority if they currently collect your waste or otherwise by a qualified clinical waste contractor. They will supply you with orange clinical waste bags to place your bags in so that the waste can be sent for appropriate treatment.
12. Cleaning staff are advised to use a simple surgical mask, gloves and a disposable waterproof gown. After removing gloves, good hand washing with soap and water is essential. It should be stressed that the use of gloves is not a substitute for hand washing, which is the most important means of prevention. In the case where some objects cannot be cleaned, washed and/or disinfected as described above, such as upholstered furniture or mattresses, steam cleaning (temperature > 70°) may be used.
