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ISSA-GBAC issues cleaning guidance on Coronavirus

The Global BioRisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a division of ISSA, the worldwide association for the cleaning industry has published its latest tip sheet for cleaning and restoration professionals addressing the recent outbreak of 2019nCov (Wuhan coronavirus).

In the release, which can be downloaded here, GBAC details seven recommendations for performing a proper risk assessment before cleaning, sanitising, and disinfecting a potentially contaminated area.

The recommendations are as follows:

  1. Incident Site Risk Assessment
  2. Pre-Bio Test
  3. Pre-disinfect
  4. Load Reduction
  5. Forensic Cleaning
  6. Post Site Assessment / Post-Bio Test
  7. Final Disinfection

This tip sheet is the latest in a series from GBAC on the current coronavirus crisis.

The council has also produced a General Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) intended for workers or individuals who enter into spaces to clean and disinfect, where an infected or potentially infected individual is or has been located with the Wuhan coronavirus.

To view the GBAC Tip Sheet on using PPE click here.

Paul Thrupp, Chair of the British Cleaning Council (BCC), said:  “There’s a lot of alarm and concern among the British public at the moment about the Coronavirus, our advice is for UK residents to stay calm and keep this in proportion.

“The Government has already advised against all but essential travel to the affected parts of China and for people in the UK who haven’t travelled there and don’t plan to, the risks are currently low.

“Some of the symptoms of the virus – a fever, difficulty breathing or a cough – are similar to that of the flu, as is the mortality rate for patients at the moment. 

“The best way of controlling it is the same as how you would deal with the flu, and patients should follow the catch it, bin it and kill it advice – use tissues if you sneeze, dispose of them properly and make sure you wash your hands regularly.

“If you do have symptoms, avoid others and seek medical help.”

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