Disinfecting and Cleaning is a huge part of a broad approach to preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 in schools. To help stop the spread of any virus, the first line of defense is to get vaccinated. Other measures include washing of hands, covering mouth when you cough and sneeze, and keeping the distance. The coronavirus is highly transmittable through respiratory droplets and contact when a person sneezes or coughs. Disinfecting and cleaning are an integral and crucial part of opening schools, and it requires a lot of careful planning. Poor hygiene can lead to student and staff member’s absences. Disinfecting and cleaning a school will require:
- Developing a plan
- Implement your plan
- Maintaining and revising your plan
The health of teachers and students is a top priority. Here are some COVID-19 school cleaning tips and guidelines.
What is the difference between Disinfecting, Cleaning, and Sanitising?
- Disinfecting
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects using a chemical. Dirty surfaces aren’t necessarily clean, but the germs are killed lowering the risk of spreading the virus. Cleaning should take place after disinfecting.
- Cleaning
Cleaning helps remove dust, dirt, and germs from any surface. Cleaning does not kill germs. It merely removes germs lowering the risk of spreading the infection.
- Sanitising
Sanitising lowers the number of germs on an object or surface to a safe level. This process works by disinfecting or cleaning the object or surface to slow the risk of the virus from spreading.
Clean and Disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched often
The most important areas to disinfect and clean are the areas that are touched surfaces such as tables, chairs, toilets, light switches, computers, doorknobs, handles, and much more. All these surfaces should be cleaned every day. Standard procedures can mean disinfecting specific areas of the school like bathrooms. You should start with objectives and surfaces that are likely to attract the virus throughout the school week.
Limit the sharing of touched objects that are difficult to clean regularly such as pencils, books, lab equipment, pens, and much more. Always wash your hands. Use gloves when removing rubbish bags from a bin and clean and wash the bin.
- Cleaning Solid Surfaces
if there are visibly soiled surfaces or objects immediately clean them with detergent or soap. You can disinfect the area also.
Clean all the building and Rooms
Deep clean every part of the building and the rooms inside. The COVID-19 90-day antimicrobial coating fogging is ideal for deep cleaning and disinfecting large areas such as schools. The certified fogging is 99.99999% effective against mould, viruses, and bacteria. It is suitable on every surface and fabric wherever virus infection needs control. It is important to pay particular attention to the bathrooms. If the highest hygiene standards aren’t maintained in the bathrooms, it can put staff and students at serious risk. Bathrooms must be clean, tidy, and sanitised thoroughly. Make sure all surfaces are spotlessly clean and always use adequate sanitary products.
How to Clean Glass Windows and Doors
Glass doors and windows make up a big portion of a school building, so it is important that they are sanitised correctly to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If someone touched the glass and had the virus it would be impossible to detect it. The COVID-19 virus can live for up to 4 days on glass surfaces. If the glass is touched regularly, it is important to clean the surface daily. It is advised by Dr Glass to use an anti-bacterial glass cleaning spray to kill the virus and leave your glass streak-free. Spray down the glass with the spray wipe and remove any dirt with a cloth. Squeegees are another popular choice for cleaning windows and doors.
Cleaning the Classrooms
Once schools reopen and classes resume, the schools must have guidelines and standard procedures in place. Here are some tips to keep the classroom clean and free from covid-19.
- Create a Schedule
When the schools are back to normal and reopened and the teachers are back teaching, the classrooms are the focus for keeping clean and hygienic during these pandemic times. Every workspace and classroom must be disinfected and cleaned it is one of the most important tasks. It is important to put together a plan and create a schedule to make sure everyone does their part and always keeps on top of the cleaning. Keep a record in a book of when the room was cleaned last and what was cleaned.
- Make an inventory list
The staff members should make a list of the inventory that is present in the room so if something goes missing it can be counted for. This is very important during the COVID-19 pandemic. If an item is taken from the classroom, it may not have been cleaned which could cause harm and spread the virus to another classroom infecting both teachers and students.
- Cover up when cleaning
Before cleaning commences it is important that personal protective equipment is worn such as a face mask, gloves, face shield, and apron to cover clothes. This will protect you from harmful chemicals found in cleaning and disinfecting products and from germs on live surfaces around the room.
- Teach your students about cleanliness & hygiene
Education is one of the best forms of prevention. Teaching the students about hygiene and cleanliness is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs and viruses in the classroom. Develop an education and teaching plan with your other staff members about how to stop the spread of the virus. The first lesson could be how to wash your hands properly with soap and water. Hand washing is extremely important. Hand sanitiser can also be used with at least 60% alcohol present in the sanitiser.
Keeping your school tidy, clean, and free from viruses is the best option for everyone’s health and well being. Once you put a standard procedure and plan in place it will be easy to maintain a high level of school cleanliness which is best for everyone and the facility.
