COVID-19: Cleaning in Residential Blocks Outside Home

The risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection lean on numerous factors, including:

Many surfaces and personal belongings can be contaminated with COVID-19 when people who are infectious mainly cough, sneeze or touch those. The actual transmission of COVID-19 can take place when another person then touches the contaminated surface or item. The individual may become infected if they touch shortly their nose, eyes or mouth with a contaminated hand or object. For that reason Increased frequency of cleaning sessions are greatly advise of general room surfaces which will massively reduce the presence of the virus and the minimize the risk of contact.

With some period of time the infection risk from a COVID-19 contaminated environment decreases rapidly. It is not yet understandable at what point there is zero risk to catch the virus, however, studies many suggest that, in non-healthcare surroundings, the risk of residual infectious virus is likely to be greatly minimised after only 48 hours.

In circumstances where someone has developed symptoms of COVID-19, we continue to promote storing personal waste for at least 72 hours as further preventative measure.

This following section provides only general cleaning advice for non-healthcare premises or other residential communal areas where no one has showed any symptoms of, or confirmed COVID-19. For assistance and guidance on cleaning where there has been an person with symptoms of, or confirmed case of COVID-19, please check following  section on principles of cleaning after a case has left the area.

There is also extra support from other guidance for employers and businesses on how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increased cleaning session or regular cleaning visit plays a major part in limiting the infection and most importantly the transmission of COVID-19 itself.

Good housekeeping by minimising clutter and moving away difficult to clean items can make cleaning faster and easier to deal with. When you Increase the frequency of cleaning, try using general cleaning products such as detergents and bleach, paying attention to all surfaces but especially ones that are touched frequently, especially entry telephone systems, door knobs,  door handles, light switches, dining tables, chairs, other work surfaces, remote controls and other electronic devices.

We recommend a system of work with minimum of two cleans on, frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down nicely, respectively at the beginning or the end of each working day. If your premises are habitable from greater number of people cleaning should be more frequent, whether they are entering or exiting the building premises they should have access to handwashing and hand-sanitising facilities at all times. Most importantly disinfection and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces is particularly important in shared bathrooms and communal kitchens like staff messrooms.

When cleaning or disinfecting surfaces, it is not compulsory to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or other protective clothing over and above what would usually be used. But using a nitrile gloves and face covering will ease your mind and of course will help if you come across contaminated surface.

If you need to go to use of laundry services Items should be washed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There is no additional washing requirement above what would normally be carried out at present time.

It is less likely that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. However, as a matter of how you keep your home in sparkling state, anyone handling food should regularly wash their hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds before doing so. Crockery and other eating utensils should not be shared. All working or other high traffic  touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly.

Bathrooms should be frequently disinfected especially the commonly touched surfaces. Landlords or employers must ensure safe and suitable hand washing facilities are available including running water, liquid soap and paper towels or basic hand driers. Where cloth towels are to be used, these should be for each individual use only and strictly laundered in accordance with guidance for washing instructions.

Waste does not need to be segregated necessary unless an individual in the setting shows any kind of symptoms of or tests positive for COVID-19 virus.

Regular dispose of routine rubbish as normal, placing any recently used cloths or hand wipes in ‘black bag’ rubbish bins. It is not compulsory to place them in an extra bin bag or store them for a certain period of time before throwing them away.

In scenario after suspected Covid-19 individual left the area minimum PPE to be worn at all times for cleaning an area after a person with symptoms of, or confirmed COVID-19 has left the premises compulsory disposable gloves, an apron, face mask. After completion wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after all PPE has been removed.

If any risk assessment of the premises or settings indicates that a higher level of virus may be shed or present (basic example, where someone unwell has spent the whole of the night such as in a hotel room) then advice for additional PPE to protect the cleaner’s eyes( face shield) , protect mouth and nose must be necessary.

All communal and public areas where a symptomatic person has walked through and spent minimal period of  time but which are not visibly contaminated with any body fluids, such as corridors, can be thoroughly cleaned as per current method statement or as normal.

But all surfaces that the symptomatic person has touched or come into contact must be sanitised and disinfected, including all potentially contaminated high traffic areas or other frequently touched areas such as bathrooms, door handles, telephones,  support hand rails in corridors and communal stairwells.

When cleaning never mix cleaning detergents together as this can create high volume toxic fumes. Restrain from creating splashes and spray whilst cleaning.

Any cloths and mop heads used must be disposed of and should be put into waste bags as outlined by government publications.

Always wash items in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance and instructions. Must try to use if possible the warmest water setting and must dry items unreservedly. If you come across dirty laundry that has been in contact with an unwell individual can be washed with other people’s items. To minimise the possibility of dispersing virus through the air, never try to shake laundry which is just to go in prior to washing.

Personal waste from person with symptoms of COVID-19 and the waste from cleaning of areas where they have been (all PPE, disposable cloths, mop heads and used hand tissues):

The contaminated waste should be stored safely always kept away from children. It should not be placed in communal waste areas until negative test results are available.

If the person test comes as negative, the waste can be put indisposed of immediately with the normal waste.

If COVID-19 is confirmed as positive his waste should be stored for a minimum of 72 hours before disposal with normal residential waste.

In case of  emergency you needs to remove the waste before 72 hours, it must be treated as special Category B infectious waste. You must follow the correct procedure:

• Always keep it separate from other rubbish
• Should arrange for collection by a specialist hazardous waste contractor. You can expect a charge for that type of collection.