Consistent Commercial Cleaning & Disinfecting for the Corona Virus Could Literally Save Your Business!
The coronavirus is on everyone’s mind, but should you schedule commercial cleaning & disinfecting service now, or wait until someone gets sick? The novel coronavirus—known clinically as COVID-19—is still a threat across the United States. Hiring a reputable commercial cleaning service may be the best way to keep your staff healthy and working.
Positive cases of COVID-19 are still on the rise. It’s more important than ever to do whatever it takes to keep your workplace healthy. Doctors report the virus is highly contagious and can quickly infiltrate an office or commercial building in a matter of days. What would an outbreak mean for the future of your business?
A Brief Understanding of the Coronavirus
Germs are everywhere, but many of them are harmless. COVID-19, however, can put your workers in grave danger. Most people infected with coronavirus only experience mild to moderate symptoms, yet others may face more serious complications. In the worst-case scenarios, a sick person may require hospitalization or mechanical ventilation. And, unfortunately, some people do succumb to the disease.
Unlike other viruses and illnesses that have a slow rate of infection, COVID-19 spreads like wildfire. Although there is still much to learn about this new virus strain, doctors do have a basic understanding of how it spreads.
Here are the top ways the coronavirus infects others:
- Aerosol
- Contaminated surfaces
- Respiratory droplets
If virus particles enter a person’s body (usually through the mouth, nose, or eyes), the virus begins to replicate right away. Since many people don’t show symptoms for several days, they may unknowingly spread it to others. And since COVID-19 has a rapid infection rate, it can overtake an entire workplace in no time at all.
The Very Real Threat of COVID-19 in the Workplace
In many workplace settings, employees are in close quarters with one another. While this layout makes it easier for people to converse and work as a team, it also creates the perfect storm for viruses. A single sneeze can send virus particles flying several feet across the room. Passersby may breathe in the infected air. Some droplets may land on surfaces, leaving them contaminated.
All it takes is a single infected worker to spread the virus to everyone in the workplace. And since sick individuals should isolate themselves for 14 days, you may end up shutting down your entire office. Infected workers can also transmit COVID-19 to clients or customers. As the virus continues to spread, you’ll see a drop in sales. That’s a lot of lost revenue from a single illness.
Even worse, you may end up with extremely sick employees. They may even pass COVID-19 along to their family members. While most of your workers will get better, some may not. And you don’t want to lose your staff to a preventable virus.
All hope is not lost, however. There are ways to protect your workers, clients, and customers from this rampant virus. Simple guidelines and frequent commercial disinfecting will help keep everyone safe and healthy.
Sensible—and Effective—Ways to Keep Coronavirus Under Control
Although COVID-19 spreads lightning fast, it’s not invincible. The virus only lingers in the air for a short amount of time. Large droplets fall to the ground almost immediately. Aerosolized particles can float in the air for up to three hours. The coronavirus also can’t survive on surfaces forever. Scientists estimate the virus expires after only a few hours or days. Even though the pathogens eventually die, it still allows plenty of time to infect your staff.
So, what does this mean for you? It’s more important than ever to set a safety plan into motion. You should clean with chemicals known to combat the virus. The CDC approves the use of EPA-registered household disinfectants to kill coronavirus. Teaching your employees how to have better hygiene habits is also crucial.
Here’s are some ways to slow the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace:
1. Allow Employees to Work from Home
The less your employees are in contact with each other, the less likely they are to catch the virus. If your business plan allows, consider letting some of your employees work from home. You can also arrange video meetings or virtual consultations to keep in contact with your clients.
2. Stagger Staff Work Hours
Having fewer workers at the office will allow for better social distancing. Consider letting your employees arrive on a staggered schedule. You can even alternate days. Limiting in-person exposure will reduce the impact COVID-19 has on your business.
3. Practice Proper Handwashing Techniques
Your staff needs access to proper handwashing stations. Remind everyone to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds throughout the day. Provide frequent breaks to promote better hygiene. When soap isn’t available, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-percent alcohol is acceptable.
4. Wipe Down High-Touch Surfaces
Think about the communal surfaces in your workplace. Doorknobs, computers, and phones are ideal breeding grounds for viruses. Each time someone touches a contaminated surface, they risk infection. Wipe down these surfaces throughout the day. And consider hiring a commercial janitorial service to disinfect high-touch surfaces at night.
5. Improve Ventilation in the Workplace
Since there is evidence of aerosol transmission, proper ventilation is a must. Open all windows in your place of business to improve airflow. If you don’t have any windows, you can still boost the indoor air quality. Install an air purifier with a HEPA filter to remove airborne contaminants.
Consistent Commercial Cleaning to Combat COVID-19
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting are the easiest ways to keep the coronavirus under wraps. But it’s not always possible to stop everything just to clean. You have more pressing matters to handle throughout the day. That’s why hiring a commercial cleaning service to tackle this vital job is the best solution.
Janitorial services do more than just tidy up—they also reduce the number of dangerous germs. Cleaning crews use special techniques to eliminate harmful pathogens from your workplace. And now that there is a better understanding of COVID-19, they can also target key areas with chemicals proven to kill the virus.
Commercial office cleaning entails a combination of cleaning and disinfecting. Here are the differences between these two techniques:
- Cleaning involves wiping away dirt and impurities from surfaces with soap and water. This technique may also reduce the number of germs in an office or commercial facility. Your cleaning company will pay close attention to any high-touch surfaces and communal areas.
- Disinfecting actually kills germs on surfaces. Janitors should use EPA-registered disinfectants proven to kill COVID-19 pathogens. However, it’s important to note that disinfecting does not remove dirt. Cleaning services often use disinfecting techniques in conjunction with basic cleaning.
The goal of hiring a cleaning service is to reduce the number of germs in your work environment. However, the results don’t last forever. That’s why it’s necessary to schedule consistent cleanings throughout the week to ensure your workplace remains healthy. And while the pandemic is in full force, the need for regular janitorial services is higher than ever.
Let DNC Facility Services Help Protect Your Workplace
COVID-19 doesn’t seem to be disappearing any time soon. And as more cases begin to pop up, the urgency to disinfect commercial buildings increases. At DNC Facility Services, we want to help keep your business open and safe. Our janitorial services will help reduce the number of germs throughout your workplace. Both you and your employees will have peace of mind when we leave.
The coronavirus doesn’t stand a chance against our team members at DNC Facility Services. We use EPA-approved chemicals and high-tech equipment to disinfect every inch of your building. You can count on us to clean and disinfect all high-touch surfaces to create a safe and healthy environment for your workforce.
DNC Facility Services has been in the cleaning business since 1982. Our years in the industry give us the upper-hand when it comes to protecting your workplace. We fully train all of our team members before sending them out into the field. And since we have a low turnover rate, you’ll always see friendly faces you recognize. What’s more, our proprietary techniques will leave your building germ-free. Contact us to learn how our commercial cleaning will protect your workplace from a coronavirus outbreak.