Covid-19 Hygiene practices and cleaning protocols

Central Virginia Community College cares about the safety of its staff and students and is following guidelines and resources provided by the CDC, VDH and EPA so that campus areas are properly cleaned, and disinfected, and appropriate hygiene is practiced.

Facilities Management has an inventory of supplies used for cleaning and disinfecting spaces including – gloves, spray bottles, EPA recommended disinfectants proven effective against COVID-19, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based wipes for electronics, and disinfectant wipes for hard (non-porous) surfaces.  Supply inventories are appropriately stored in a climate-controlled storage warehouse within the Facilities Management Department. Each work area and classroom that will be utilized will receive the necessary products to begin classes.  Supervisory staff who are responsible for work areas and classrooms should replenish these supplies as they are consumed by completing an order in the 'School Dude' system.

• Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection.   This cleaning is performed using detergents (soap and water) prior to disinfection.
• Disinfecting works by using chemicals, for example EPA-registered disinfectants, to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.

Cleaning and Disinfecting are an important part of our strategy against the threats of Covid-19. Cleaning removes existing dirt and germs, while Disinfecting kills most germs when using the proper EPA recommended disinfectants found here:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2-covid-19

Employees will keep work areas clean and disinfected with materials provided by Facilities Management that includes ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes.

While cleaning, staff will use face coverings, gloves, and eye protection where applicable. They will also make sure there is proper ventilation and keep their hands away from their faces. They will wash their hands thoroughly when finished and use approved EPA cleaning disinfectants.