As new phases of reopening business and common-area, residential spaces begin across the country, what are the updated guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting?
Reopening Properties – Best Practices & How TWS Facility Services Can Help
Is Your Property Open Again?
Many areas across the US are starting to slowly open up businesses and public areas. Some have remained open but are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID.
TWS Facility Services is here to support you at whatever phase your property is currently in or preparing to enter.
Read on for best practice tips for both commercial and residential properties.
Residential Community Spaces Reopening? Facility Services to Keep Them Safe and Disinfected
Many properties are starting to reopen, including the shared, community spaces on residential properties. TWS Facility Services is here to help you keep your property’s playground, gym, seating area, laundry rooms, etc, disinfected and safe for your tenant’s use.
The Importance of Keeping Your Property Maintained During Covid-19
Business operations may be reduced and the nature of some businesses may be changing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but properties still need care and maintenance. TWS Facility Service is here to make this time easier for you and your property.
Working From Home? Get FaceTime LIVE reporting On Your Property with TWS Facility Services
TWS provides “Necessary Essential Service”, meaning our team members are permitted to continue servicing properties in the community to keep them clean and maintained for safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. Even though you may not be able to visit a property right now, TWS can keep you updated via a remote, live video walk-through of your property (i.e. Facetime). We can also send photos and video clips. Whatever you need – we can do it! Contact us with any concerns, questions or requests.
Keeping Public Spaces Disinfected with Facility Service During the Coronavirus Outbreak
TWS Facility Services provides a “Necessary Essential Service” and so we are not only continuing to maintain, clean, and disinfect as usual, but we are encouraging extra cleaning and disinfecting at this time.
TWS Facility Services – Helping You to Combat Coronavirus
Right now, many people worldwide are concerned about the spread of COVID-19, also referred to as the novel coronavirus. Many property managers also wonder how it will affect business. Whether you have a retail, residential, or business property, TWS Facility Services is ready to help you be pro-active against the spread of viruses.
Preventing Transmission of Coronavirus on Your Property – Regular Facility Maintenance is Key
The coronavirus outbreak in the United States is now affecting people’s daily habits. How can you make your property feel safe and clean to patrons, tenants, and/or clients?
A recent report from Coresight Research shows that about one-quarter of the people surveyed have changed their habits due to the outbreak of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the coronavirus. Nearly half of these are specifically avoiding shopping malls and retail centers, making these the third most avoided public areas, after public transportation and international travel. About 75% of people surveyed plan to limit their visits to retail destinations. Some states or counties in the USA are calling for or even mandating reduced social interaction. How can you take measures to reduce transmission on your property?
Clean and Disinfect Surfaces Regularly to Reduce Transmission of Viruses, Including Coronavirus
According to the Center for Disease Control, “transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented”, and that “transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomite” (fomites are objects). However, “current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.” Visit the CDC’s website for more info.
Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings
In addition to coronavirus, we are in flu season, and the CDC notes that 80% of illness-causing germs are spread through touch, including surfaces, and so cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly is the best way limit outbreaks in an environment. Effective strategies also require a thorough approach that targets germs on both hard and soft surfaces.
Pay Attention to “High Touch” Surfaces
High-touch areas tend to be the main source of spreading bacteria and viruses, especially when located in communal areas. What high touch surfaces are covered by your janitorial team on a regular basis? Remember – viruses that cause the common cold, flu, and coronavirus can survive on these surfaces for hours.
The following need to be disinfected daily:
- Phones and Handsets
- Desks / Countertops / Tables
- Computer Keyboards & Mouses, Copier Machines & Printers
- Cash Register Keyboards/Screens and Order Screens
- Sinks and Faucets
- Restroom Facilities
- Elevator Buttons
- Light Switches
- Door Knobs/Handles and Drawer Handles
- Railings and Chair Arm Rests
- Trash Can Lids
- Floor Surfaces
“Soft Surfaces” Need Disinfecting Too
Carpets, curtains, upholstery, and other soft surfaces can be germ reservoirs. The flu virus can survive 12 hours on these types of surfaces, and coronavirus can also survive for hours on a variety of surfaces.
On the one hand, carpet acts as a filter by trapping allergens and keeping them out of the breathing zone. On the other hand, this “filter” needs to be cleaned, and not just when the dirt is visible.
Are these soft surfaces also being disinfected as a part of your ongoing facility service program? Also, consider an extra thorough cleaning right now and increasing your regular service to make your property safe and clean during this outbreak.
Reminders to Keep Clean
Although they should know better, people may need reminders to wash their hands after certain actions. Increasing awareness can help limit the spread of sickness. Thoughtfully placed signage can be useful here. Need help creating signs? Want to install hand sanitizing stations? TWS Facility Services is ready to take on any project you need to make your facility a well-maintained and welcoming environment.
Remind people to wash hands after:
- Emptying wastebaskets
- Touching used tissues
- Coughing, sneezing or blowing one’s nose
- Using the restroom
- Before and after preparing and eating food
- Before and after contact when caring for another person (i.e. an infant)
Soap and Water vs Hand Sanitizer
While hand sanitizer is better than nothing at all, washing hands with soap and water is still best. The CDC recommends “washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.” Read more here
To maximize the effectiveness of hand sanitizers, make sure to use a generous amount and to not wipe it off, but allow it to dry on the hands.
Use Products Effectively
An experienced facility service provider that doesn’t cut corners will be using the right products in an efficient and effective manner. Their team members should be properly trained to clean thoroughly and take appropriate precautions for their own safety. The facility service provider should be able to estimate the realistic amount of time necessary to do the job right. And it can’t be emphasized enough – make sure your service is regularly scheduled! Right now, an increase in service is recommended.
TWS is a facility service company that is dedicated to doing the job right as responsible members of our community and as a team committed to supporting our clients. You can count on us to take a thorough and effective approach to combat viruses as a part of our janitorial and day porter services. With regular and thorough facility service and additional service for disinfecting, you can actively support wellness in your facility and help ease concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the community.
Need to improve your service plan? Contact us for a no-obligation chat about your concerns and find out the options that are available: 888-883-1915