In line with the Government's plan for the gradual reopening of society, it is now recommended to ease measures. Sectors should prepare plans for the gradual phasing out of COVID-19-related infection control measures with an aim of returning to normal operation.

Survival on surfaces and textiles

The SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads primarily by droplet transmission when it is thrown into the air by sneezing or coughing, in addition to direct and indirect contact transmission.

Laboratory studies suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can survive on surfaces from a few hours to several days, depending on the amount of virus, type of surface, temperature, sunlight and humidity. However, the detection of live viruses on different surfaces does not mean they can cause infection in humans.

• Facts about the virus and COVID-19 disease

To prevent infection after contact with contaminated objects and / or surfaces, hand hygiene is the most important measure, in addition to systematic cleaning.

Cleaning reduces the contamination of an object by mechanically removing the microorganisms.

Cleaning in companies, etc.

The employer should ensure that:

• Cleaning plans and routines have been updated and a risk assessment with a focus on organisation, responsibility and resources required.
• Assess the need for the use of protective equipment for employees who are to perform the cleaning. Define the situations that require the use of protective equipment and the type of equipment required.
• Ensure training of employees in cleaning and how to use protective equipment.

Recommendation

• Ordinary cleaning routines must be followed. Daily cleaning of areas where many people pass through is recommended, such as common contact points like door handles, payment terminals, armrests.
• Use regular cleaning products.
• Use disposable cloths as much as possible. Clean reusable cloths according to standard routines.
• Follow normal waste management procedures. Waste is disposed of as residual waste.
• There is no need for hygiene checks with, for example, ATP measurements in companies that normally do not do this.

Cleaning during and after home isolation

• It is not necessary to clean the room where the patient is staying before the isolation ends (10 days). If cleaning is to be carried out before the isolation ends, this should be done by the person who is isolated. Household members should avoid staying in the same room.
• Household members should perform regular cleaning in the home (kitchen, living room, bathroom).
• Assess the need for cleaning of common contact points and surfaces (door handles, bathroom washbasin, toilet) while isolation is ongoing.

Cleaning the room where the patient has stayed is carried out after isolation is over:

• The person who will do the cleaning can consider using a face mask until the room has been cleaned.
• Open windows in the room and ventilate well while cleaning.
• Roll up bedding carefully and put it in the washing machine immediately. Wash at the highest possible temperature, minimum 60 ºC.
• Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth and cleaning product.
• Disposable items that the patient has used during the isolation (magazines, newspapers, etc.) can be thrown away with residual waste.

It is not necessary to clean the entire home after the isolation is ended.

Cleaning during and after quarantine

Regular cleaning is sufficient

Textiles

Cleaning of textiles must follow ordinary routines.

There is no basis for using chemical disinfectants on textiles.

Textiles must be washed at the highest possible temperature, minimum 60 ºC.

Disinfection

There is no basis for using chemical disinfectants to reduce the risk of infection.

The use of chemical disinfectants can be harmful to humans and the environment and should be targeted and only used when necessary. The use of chemical disinfectants does not replace cleaning, but is used as a supplement.

All chemical disinfectants must be approved in accordance with the biocidal regulations, regardless of the sector in which the disinfectant is to be used.

• The Norwegian Environment Agency is responsible for the biocidal regulations.

• Desinfeksjon (in Norwegian)

Table: overview of recommended measures

The table below gives some suggestions on how often different items should be cleaned. Cleaning requirements must be made based on type of premises, number of people who use or stay in the premises at any one time, user groups and situation, contact frequency to surfaces and fixtures.

The advice must be seen in the context of the general recommendations for cleaning described above and current recommendations for hand hygiene.