​BUSINESSES & CORONAVIRUS DISINFECTION:

Cornavirus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What do we need to do if we have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a person who either an employee or has visited my facility?
​Answer: We believe that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the authority on responses to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Their recommendation is to first remove the infected person from your facility. We recommend that they follow their route of entry on their way out and that you provide them with a surgical-type mask to keep them from spreading the virus through coughing and sneezing. Next, isolate the areas that the person visited and remove your employees and others from those areas. 

Question: Can we use a room fogger to disinfect SARS-CoV-2?
Answer: While a room fogger may be effective at disinfecting some viruses and bacteria, the CDC currently does not have foggers listed in their disinfection procedure for SARS-CoV-2.  The CDC recommends a two-step process that begins with a cleaning of the surface first, followed by disinfection with an EPA Registered disinfectant with virus kill claims.

Question: How long can the virus survive on a surface?  Can’t I just wait for it to die and avoid cleaning and disinfecting?
Answer: The CDC reports that the virus has been detected in the air for as much as 3 hours after it is aerosolized and up to 17 days on some inanimate surfaces.  Not all surfaces have been tested and it is not yet know how much of the virus material is required to contract COVID-19. CDC currently does not have enough information about SARS-CoV-2 to be able to make a definitive statement on how long to quarantine an area for it to be reduced to an acceptable risk level.  For these reasons, the cleaning and disinfection processes described by the CDC continue to be the recommendation of PSCS.  

Question: Can our own employees do the disinfection of the facility?
Answer: There is no restriction against an employer cleaning and disinfection their own facility; however, there are certain regulatory requirements that must be met in order to be in compliance with OSHA and EPA regulations:

>OSHA has recently issued a pamphlet entitled, Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19. This document is valuable source of information for employers who want to address the COVID-19 situation. It will help identify at risk employees and provide risk mitigation strategies to employ.