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Cleaning for COVID-19 - advice for sectors outside the healthcare service
Advice about cleaning to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Advice about cleaning to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus.
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Sectors (businesses, workplaces etc.) should prepare plans for the gradual phasing out of COVID-19-related infection control measures with an aim of returning to normal operation, while emphasisising the general infection control advice for all employees:
- Employees should stay at home if they are sick and have symptoms of respiratory tract infections
- Encourage good hand hygiene and cough etiquette
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.
Read more about transmission routes here:
Hand hygiene and systematic cleaning help to prevent infection after contact with contaminated objects and / or surfaces.
Ordinary cleaning is sufficient to reduce transmission risk from SARS-CoV-2 in sectors outside the healthcare service and in residences where patients have been in isolation.
Cleaning in sectors, 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.
- Ensure training of employees in cleaning and how to use protective equipment.
Recommendation for cleanimg
- Ordinary cleaning routines must be followed.
- Use regular cleaning products.
- Use disposable cloths as much as possible. Clean reusable cloths according to standard routines.
- Follow normal waste management procedures.
- There is no need for hygiene checks with, for example, ATP measurements in companies that normally do not do this.
Textiles
Cleaning of textiles must follow ordinary routines.
Textiles must be washed at the highest possible temperature, minimum 60 ºC.
Disinfection
There is no basis for using chemical disinfectants in the surroundings to reduce the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Disinfection should not be used in sectors where this is not used under ordinary circumstances.
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. For all use of chemical disinfectants, employees must have received training in the use of each product.