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COVID-19 - Frequently asked questions for schools

Cleaning

What additional cleaning is necessary following a symptomatic or confirmed case?

All surfaces that the symptomatic person has come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, including:

  • objects which are visibly contaminated with body fluids
  • all potentially contaminated high-contact areas such as bathrooms, door handles, telephones, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells

Use disposable cloths or paper roll and disposable mop heads, to clean all hard surfaces, floors, chairs, door handles and sanitary fittings, following one of the options below:

  • use either a combined detergent disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million available chlorine or
  • a household detergent followed by disinfection (1000 parts per million available chlorine). Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and contact times for all detergents and disinfectants or
  • if an alternative disinfectant is used within the organisation, this should be checked and ensure that it is effective against enveloped viruses

Avoid creating splashes and spray when cleaning.

  • Wear disposable or washing-up gloves and aprons for cleaning.
  • Pay particular attention to frequently touched areas and surfaces, such as bathrooms, grab-rails in corridors and stairwells and door handles.
  • If an area has been heavily contaminated, such as with visible bodily fluids, use protection for the eyes, mouth and nose, as well as wearing gloves and an apron.
  • Any items that are heavily contaminated with body fluids and cannot be cleaned by washing should be disposed of.
  • All the disposable materials should be double-bagged, then stored securely for 72 hours then thrown away in the regular rubbish after cleaning is finished.
  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, and after removing gloves, aprons and other protection used while cleaning.

Do toilets need to be cleaned after every use?

Toilets are frequently touched surfaces, so they need to be cleaned frequently throughout the day, but not after every use (except if used by a symptomatic person whilst waiting to go home).

Increase the frequency of cleaning toilets to at least five times a day:

  • Before school starts
  • After morning break
  • After lunch break
  • After afternoon break
  • At the end of the day
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