GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT NEWS - Following uncertainty as to when the 2021 academic year will commence, Basic Education Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule on Friday 15 January announced that the reopening of both public and private schools has been postponed by two weeks.
Learners are expected to return on 15 February.
The educational fraternity consists of different facets, from the school classroom, university lecture rooms, boarding schools and right up to student residential housing.
"All of these facilities are made up of small spaces where students interact and serve as high-risk zones for spreading Covid-19. Cleaning in learning facilities is one area where the emphasis for cleaning for aesthetics has shifted to cleaning for health," says Emma Corder, managing director of Industroclean.
While most schools and universities are likely to continue with online learning and virtual lectures, there are some programmes that require contact learning such as in laboratories and studios.
Cleaning staff should continue with enhanced cleaning and disinfections programmes.
Boarders
But residences, especially boarding schools where accommodation spaces are shared, pose another level of concern as several additional measures are required to ensure the health and safety of students.
Sharing communal facilities puts them at risk of viral infection - a single Covid-19 infection risks an uncontrolled outbreak in a very short time.
Most university residences are expected to open from 25 February onwards with some indicating that only students invited to return will be accepted. Corder has the following advice.
"Reduce the number of students on site, no shared accommodation and no gatherings in individual student rooms as well as not allowing guests on site; assign bathrooms and showers to be shared by specific students only and in some cases even re-consider the design of student accommodation."
A deep clean of all student accommodation is recommended before their return and should include servicing air conditioners and ensuring filters are clean and that air vents are dust free. Vinyl floors should be stripped and sealed.
This should be followed with a daily cleaning routine which will be imperative to keeping infections at bay.
Bathrooms and public spaces such as student lounges and hallways should be allocated the highest priority. Regular cleaning of facilities and functioning handwash dispensers and sanitising stations are primary tools in the battle against the spread.
Another key focus area is the training of cleaning staff which should include the basic principles of cleaning, correct use of PPE and usage of chemicals and consumables.
It is crucial to continuously clean often touched surfaces, equipment and door handles. Photo: shrm.org What cleaning staff should be aware of:
- Understand the difference between cleaning and disinfection;
- Clean from top to bottom;
- When cleaning a room, start at the back and systematically work your way to the door;
- Remove all waste from bins and double bag used tissues. Wipe dustbins and leave to dry before lining with a disposable plastic bag;
- Clean all frequently touched points such as door handles, push plates and soap dispensers, taps and bathroom faucets paying attention to the contact time of the disinfectant cleaner;
- Spot clean walls and floors.
The frequency of cleaning bathrooms should be increased, and a dedicated cleaner should clean showers and toilets after each usage. The amount of cleaning staff and students per residence should be limited.
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