Guidance
General COVID-19 Guidance
Mask Use
- Wide scale mandatory mask use is required.
- Mandatory mask use is required in the following circumstances:
- Where a legal requirement due to government mandate or public health order is in
- When a person becomes ill on campus
- When a member of the emergency response team must stay in continuous close contact with a person who has become severely ill and emergency services have been
- When conducting on-site temperature screenings for anyone that comes on campus.
- When a person who has recovered from COVID-19 returns to campus and has a residual cough, they must wear a mask
- When persons must work in close quarters and distancing of 6 feet is not
- When housekeeping or maintenance staff are cleaning, working in or decontaminating affected
Eye Protection – Safety Glasses, Goggles, and Face Shields
- Wide scale eye protection is already used in areas as required. Additional wide scale measures are not required.
- Mandatory eye protection use is required in the following circumstances:
- When a member of the emergency response team must stay in continuous close contact with a person who has become severely ill and emergency services has been
- When housekeeping or maintenance staff are cleaning, working in or decontaminating affected Face shield use may be required.
Vinyl or Surgical Glove Use
- Wide scale glove use is not required.
- Mandatory glove use is required in the following circumstances:
- When a member of the emergency response team must stay in continuous close contact with a person who has become severely ill and EMS has been
- When housekeeping or maintenance staff are cleaning, working in or decontaminating affected
Medical Gown/Coverall Use
- Wide scale gown/coverall/boot cover use is not required.
- Mandatory gown/coverall use is required in the following circumstances:
- When a member of the emergency response team must stay in continuous close contact with a person who has become severely ill and EMS has been
- When housekeeping or maintenance staff are decontaminating or working in affected
Concern has been raised about transmissibility of the virus to employees from various materials. There are very limited reliable studies related to the survivability of the virus on surfaces or in specific environmental conditions. Generally, the belief is that,
- Survival of the virus in air suspended droplets is about 3 hours
- Survival of the virus on plastic and steel is about 72 hours
- Survival of the virus on copper is about 4-8 hours
- Survival of the virus on cardboard is about 24 hours
The times above are established within laboratory conditions and will vary depending on factors including temperature, humidity, ventilation and the amount of virus accumulated on the surface.
It is important to note that survivability and infectivity are not the same. Research has yet to show if the virus is still infectious even though it has survived.
Key Guidance for Isolation of an Individual that arrives on campus or becomes ill while on campus:
- Isolate the individual by asking them to go to their car if available or in a designated isolation room.
- If severely ill, isolate in designated isolation area and have member of Emergency Response Team (preferably has first aid experience or training) wear PPE and stay with individual while emergency services are
- Speak to the individual and identify close
- Send the individual
- Have them contact their doctor or public health for further
- Complete contact tracing at the
- Send close contacts
- Clean and disinfect potentially affected areas at the
- Contact the employee to determine what medical or public health guidance they were
This guidance comes into effect only where there is a risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus. To identify a high-risk individual/situation, use the COVID-19 Coronavirus Risk Screening Tool.
Verify that cleaning agents are suitable for the surface they will be applied to (i.e. will not damage or destroy the surface), by reading and following the manufacturer’s recommendations or labeling.
Agents - diluted household bleach
- Household strength bleach that typically contains 5 - 6 % sodium hypochlorite. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or guidelines for concentrations higher than 6% sodium hypochlorite.
- Mix bleach with water to make a 0.1% or 1:47 solution suitable for disinfecting surfaces
- Always add bleach to water
- For greatest effectiveness, prepare bleach solutions fresh daily, preferably just prior to use
- Allow all bleach solutions to stand for at least 30 minutes before using
- Do not immerse electrical or battery-operated tools/equipment in solutions; wipe the outside of these objects with a disposable rag soaked with the solution and allow it to dry.
- Use gloves and eye protection when cleaning tools, equipment and surfaces.
- Use respiratory protection when there is a respiratory risk (selection of PPE should be based on a PPE assessment, the manufacturer’s instructions, local regulations (e.g. NIOSH).
- All containers must be labeled with original manufacturers warning label which can be obtained from the manufacturer.
CAUTION: Never mix bleach with products containing ammonia.
Accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) (0.5%) - Used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and medical equipment.
CAUTION: Hydrogen Peroxide can cause damage to fabrics, plastics, and untreated metal if left on the surface too long.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QUATs) - Used for cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces (e.g., floors, walls, furnishings).
Cleaning and Disinfection Guidelines
- Ensure proper PPE is used and disposed of in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and local regulations.
- Disinfect all frequently touched surfaces daily including desks, conference room tables, cafeteria tables, restroom stalls/stall doors, door handles, keyboards/mice and sink fixtures.
- Disinfect after your routine cleaning is complete, including emptying trash, dusting and vacuuming to minimize cross-contamination
- Remove any visible soil from the surface with a detergent-based cleaner before applying a
- Disinfect surfaces from high areas to low areas so that any dirt/dust that may contain microorganisms dislodged from above are removed when you clean the lower
- Disinfect surfaces from “clean” areas, such as office spaces, to “dirty” areas, such as bathrooms, to minimize cross-contamination.
- For convenience, consider using a one-step disinfectant cleaner instead of a disinfectant that always requires a cleaning step prior to disinfection. One-step cleaner disinfectants ensure that workers can clean and disinfect in one pass. Do not flush disposable wipes in
- When disinfecting, ensure surfaces remain visibly wet for the contact time specified on the product
- Employees should be encouraged to regularly clean their desks, laptops, computer mouse, phones, PC, phone etc. It’s important to keep your stationery and devices clean. According to the experts, the virus COVID -19 can live on those surfaces for
- Students should be encouraged to regularly clean their desks, laptops, computer mouse, phones, PC, phone etc. It’s important to keep stationery and devices clean. According to the experts, the virus COVID -19 can live on those surfaces for
- CDC advises people to use disposable wipes to clean surfaces regularly. Before touching a public surface, clean it with a disposable wipe and, clean your hands after touching surfaces. Use hand sanitizers and wash your hands with soap and water
- Increase frequency of cleaning when warranted and as precautionary
Disinfecting
Using a recommended agent (see above), follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation and dermal protection. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. (CDC)
General use
- Apply a mist of solution from a spray bottle, thoroughly wetting the area or use disposable wipes
- Ensure area remains wet for at least 60 seconds (follow manufacturer’s instructions)
- Wipe with a clean, dry rag or paper towel
- For light switches, electronics, laptops, monitors do not directly spray with the solution. Apply the solution to a rag or paper towel and wipe the surface.
Additional time should be allotted to students at the beginning of their class/lab and at the end of the class/lab for cleaning.
Students should be shown how to clean, including using any required PPE.
High-touch points should be cleaned (tools, supplies, table-tops / work surfaces, stools / chairs etc.).
Instruct students to clean their assigned area at the start of their class/lab (or when initially assigned to that area), when transferring to a different area and, at the end of their class/lab time in their area.
Pre-use safety inspection checklists should be used that identify high-touch points (e.g. add a checkbox that includes acknowledgement that pre-& post cleaning was competed).
- Apply a mist of solution from a spray bottle, thoroughly wetting the area or use disposable wipes
- Ensure area remains wet for at least 60 seconds (follow manufacturer’s instructions)
- Wipe with a clean, dry paper towel and dispose
- For palm buttons, touch screens, switches, electronics, laptops, monitors do not directly spray with the solution. Apply the solution to a rag or paper towel and wipe the surface.
Disinfecting Tools
- Tools and Equipment can also be cleaned. It is preferable that soap and clean water be used when available or Ozone treatment to disinfect tools
- Dilute ¼ cup household bleach in 1 gallon of water
- Immerse object in solution for 10 minutes
Cleaning and Disinfection PPE
It is highly recommended that PPE not be shared. This includes and is not limited to visitor safety glasses, hard hats, fall arrest equipment, respirators, LASER safety glasses etc. Respiratory protection should be disposable.
CAUTION: Certain types of PPE may become damaged and unsafe if cleaned. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning and care instructions. If PPE looks damaged, do not use it and report It to your professor.
General Guidelines
- Dedicated equipment must be thoroughly cleaned/disinfected prior and after each use
- Equipment used to clean and disinfect contaminated areas should be disposable
- Particular attention should be paid to high touch areas
- Remove eyewear/face shield by tilting the head forward and lifting the head band or earpieces
Note: The outside of protective eyewear/face shields maybe contaminated.
- Avoid touching the front surface of the eyewear/face shield
- Gloves should be removed so they are inside-out and properly disposed of
- Reusable protective eyewear should be placed into a container and washed in detergent and water and allowed to completely air dry
Clothing should be washed in hot water and detergent and completely dried in a hot air dryer.
Severe cleaning should be performed only when there is a confirmed case, medical grounds or when directed by a medical professional and, may be conducted by a professional cleaning contractor.
Terra State may decide to temporarily close and allow for the natural deactivation of the virus (depending on the types of surfaces), prior to conducting any type of decontamination.
Disinfect the campus prior to anyone returning to work. It is recommended to close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection. (CDC)
- Housekeeping or professional cleaning contractors should clean and disinfect all areas
used by the ill persons, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces (CDC)
such as:
- Desks/Tables
- Computers, keyboards, and all high-touch points
- Restrooms including countertops, soap dispensers, faucets
- Cafeteria
- Common / public areas
- Doors and door handles, hand rails, elevator buttons
- Surfaces should be disinfected using an approved agent or the following household
bleach solution (OSHA)
- Dilute 1 1/2 cups bleach in 1 gallon of water
- Place the solution in a spray
- If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection
- Thoroughly clean surfaces that have heavy deposits of contaminants and allow to stand for 3 minutes
- Wipe the contaminants from the surface with a paper towel. Discard the towel
- Douse the surface again and wipe off the residual contamination with a paper towel
- Cleaning staff should wear an appropriate face mask, disposable gloves and gowns (if applicable) for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash
- Gloves and gowns (if applicable) should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used
- Additional PPE might be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant products being used and whether there is a risk of splash
- PPE should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area. Be sure to clean hands after removing gloves
- Cleaning staff should immediately report breaches in PPE (e.g., tear in gloves) or any potential exposures to their supervisor
- Cleaning staff and others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
Social distancing is a simple yet very effective mechanism to prevent potential infection, that relies on simple distance to avoid infection. In order to decrease the transmission of COVID-19, the Terra State Community members are practicing physical and/or social distancing.
It is a simple and effective prevention measure that can help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Your efforts will help protect you and Terra community members and, you may be saving lives.
In practice this means:
- Staying 6ft away from others as a normal practice
- Eliminating contact with others, such as handshakes or embracing coworkers, visitors, or friends
- Avoiding touching surfaces touched by others, to the extent feasible
- Avoiding anyone who appears to be sick, or who is coughing or sneezing
This practice of social distancing includes but is not limited to classrooms, cafeteria, common areas, entrance/exit areas, and offices. These are examples, but the principle of social distancing is universally applicable.