When the pandemic began, sanitizers became scarce as well as the demand for hand wash soap and liquids shot up. Cut to almost seven months into the pandemic, with the supply now stocked up, the demand continues to remain high. COVID-19 has once again brought us back to the basics as until a vaccine is tested and ready for supply, sanitization, hygiene and social distancing are our best bet at staying away from the virus. Environmental Cleaning refers to action taken to deal with the release of a hazardous substance that could affect humans and/or the environment.

Simple hygiene measures can help protect COVID-19 in the environment

Don’t touch your face Practice social distancing Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Don’t cough or sneeze into your hands Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of used tissue immediately. Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands regularly. Yes, you’re hearing it everywhere, because it’s the best line of defence. Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds. Make sure to wash hands after you blow your nose, sneeze into a tissue, use the restroom, when you leave and return to your home, before preparing or eating food, applying make-up, handling contact lenses etc. If using a hand sanitizer ensure that it contains at least 60 per cent alcohol, ensure coverage on all parts of the hands and rub hands together for 20-30 seconds until hands feel dry. Cleaning around the home Cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in your home regularly is an important precaution to lower the risk of infection. Follow cleaning product instructions for safe and effective use, including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation. Some national authorities have made lists of recommended products for use against the COVID-19 virus. What to use to clean and disinfect If a surface is dirty, first clean it with soap or detergent and water. Then use a disinfectant product containing alcohol (of around 70 per cent) or bleach. Vinegar and other natural products are not recommended. In many places it can be difficult to find disinfectant sprays and wipes. In such cases, continue to clean with soap and water. Diluted household bleach solutions may also be used on some surfaces.