Avian Flu Diary: CDC Extended Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting (Homes, Schools, Businesses, etc.)

#15,227

Six weeks ago, in CDC Guidance: Disinfecting Your Home If Someone Is Sick, we looked at interim advice for COVID-19 disinfection in the home. While large-droplet transmission is believed to be the primary vector for spreading the virus, fomites - contaminated surfaces of inanimate objects - are also a huge concern.

Depending on the type of surface, and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, UV light, etc) the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive anywhere from hours to several days.

Studies have have shown (see EID Journal: Aerosol and Surface Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in Hospital Wards, Wuhan, China) that the virus can settle on many surfaces, even meters away from an infected person (see also CDC MMWR: Public Health Responses to COVID-19 Outbreaks on Cruise Ships — Worldwide).

This week, in anticipation of a phased reopening of many segments of the American economy in the weeks ahead, the CDC has released new, updated, and expanded guidance for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in a wide range of venues.

The full guidance is spread across two PDF files (PDF1 - 9 pages, PDF2 - 2 pages). I've only posted a few excerpts below, so follow the links and download the entire guidance.

Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. Reopening America requires all of us to move forward together by practicing social distancing and other daily habits to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Reopening the country also strongly relies on public health strategies, including increased testing of people for the virus, social distancing, isolation, and keeping track of how someone infected might have infected other people. This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan and focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home.

Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, and business will require you to:

Develop your plan

Implement your plan

Maintain and revise your plan

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of reopening public spaces that will require careful planning. Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing face coverings. Everyone also has a role in making sure our communities are as safe as possible to reopen and remain open.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed if you use the right products. EPA has compiled a list of disinfectant products that can be used against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes. Each product has been shown to be effective against viruses that are harder to kill than viruses like the one that causes COVID-19.

This document provides a general framework for cleaning and disinfection practices. The framework is based on doing the following:

Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure.

Disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 can also help reduce the risk. Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.

When EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions). Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together. This can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.