Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses have had to adapt to new cleaning and sanitation practices to curb the virus’s spread. A major recommendation from the CDC is to increase the cleaning and sanitation of high-touch areas. What are high touch areas?
A high touch area is anywhere several people regularly touch. Some examples include:
- Light switches
- Door handles
- Elevator buttons
- Shared appliances
- Railings
Every business has unique areas that are high touch. The important thing for each business owner to do is to identify these areas and make sure that regular cleaning and sanitation is taking place.
Most scientists agree that transmission from surfaces is low, but it could still be happening. This great article from WebMD lists potential timelines for how long COVID-19 can last on different surfaces. If you check it out, you will see that it varies depending on the type of surface.
Another study from Australia found that the virus could be viable on smooth surfaces like glass, metal, or plastic for 28 days. Professor Ron Eccles, the former director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, said that the findings were ‘causing unnecessary fear in public.” That’s a bit of a contradiction. Which is true? Scientists are still trying to figure it out. The reality is, we are still learning about the virus every day and need to take every precaution just in case.
As a business owner, the constant barrage of new information can be overwhelming. Follow the advice of the government and leaders for your industry. The CDC has recommendations for proper cleaning and disinfecting, which includes proper safety precautions and recommended products. Following these guidelines is key to keeping your business safe.
If you are still concerned about how long the virus can last on surfaces, let us help. We offer the MircoShield 360 system. This solution is applied using electrostatic technology to cover surfaces evenly and helps prevent bacteria growth between cleanings. It’s another way to get some peace of mind to protect your business and customers.
High touch areas are everywhere. Look around your office –– how many people touch the coffee pot, photocopier, or elevator buttons? Some studies of hospital elevator buttons found that they were dirtier than a toilet seat! The most important thing you can do as a business owner is to identify the high touch areas in your workplace and establish a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule for them. Our team is highly experienced in professional cleaning and would be happy to help you develop a plan for your business.
