CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

Attention hotels: Guests are returning.

Canada‘s hotel industry has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.^1,2 Lockdowns, reduced occupancy, and financial hardships are all very real issues, and after over a year, hotels are eager to welcome back guests.^1,2

However, potential guests are understandably more hesitant to stay in a hotel due to concerns about germs that are pathogenic (disease-causing) and microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. With disinfection now top-of-mind for almost everyone, it’s important to share that these concerns are also your hotel’s top priority.

One of the best ways to help make potential guests feel more at ease about a hotel stay is to develop or maintain an enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocol.

Spread the word-new protocols are here.

It’s important to ensure that your cleaning protocol is in line with the Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines. Regular cleaning and disinfection is essential in order to help mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.^3,4

These guidelines reflect currently available scientific evidence and expert opinions, and knowing that a hotel has an effective cleaning and disinfecting protocol in place can help hotel guests enjoy their stay without worrying about germs.

Some things to consider when creating your protocol:

• Ensure that personal preventative practices are followed consistently (environmental cleaning and disinfecting, using personal protective equipment, including wearing masks).³
• Staff will need training on the routine cleaning and disinfection procedures for high touch surfaces.⁴
  • Housekeeping and laundry staff will need additional training for safe handling of linens
• All hard surfaces in guest rooms must be cleaned and disinfected regularly.⁴
• High touch surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected at least twice daily.⁴
• Keep track of cleaning and disinfection with a logbook.⁴
• Damp cleaning methods are preferred over dry methods.⁵

Bacteria and viruses may check in too.

SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus, can spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches a surface. The transmission happens when another person touches the contaminated surface and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth without cleaning their hands first.⁶ Evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus can live on objects and surfaces from a few hours to days, depending on the type of surface.⁵ That means disinfection of hard, non-porous surfaces is more important than ever.

It’s important to remember that high-touch surfaces and high-traffic areas in hotels are the most likely to be contaminated with bacteria and viruses.^4,5 In hotels, this includes areas like the lobby, hallways, dining room and the fitness center, as well as objects like doorknobs and handles, telephones, elevator buttons, light switches, and menus.⁷

Most importantly, guest rooms also need to be fully cleaned and disinfected after every guest checks out, to help defend against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.⁶ Think about the areas in rooms that are tricky to clean, such as the remote control or telephone. You may also consider removing non-essential items such as coffeemakers or ice buckets when the cleaning happens.⁸

High traffic plus high guest turnover means the potential risk of contamination and exposure to bacteria and viruses. Having an effective cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting protocol is essential, and can help guests feel more comfortable about their stay.

Don’t let germs ruin their visit.

Beyond cleaning: Think Disinfection.

The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends using products that both clean and disinfect.⁵

Products that are approved for disinfecting hard surfaces in Canada have an eight digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on their labels. Check for the DIN to confirm that your disinfectant is approved and safe for use in Canada.^5, You can also use the DIN to confirm that your disinfectant appears on the Health Canada public database on COVID-19.⁹

Think disinfection to help protect guests and staff.

CloroxPro^® is here to help.

CloroxPro^® has developed disinfecting-sanitizing products that are registered at Health Canada to help meet the needs of hotels. When selecting a product to use, consider the location and type of surfaces you need to clean, disinfect and sanitize. Whether wipes, sprays, dilutables or using the Clorox Total 360^® Electrostatic Sprayer System, CloroxPro^® has a formulation and system to meet your facility’s needs.

As we look forward to the start of the travel season, it is important to be ready and help protect hotel guests and staff. As your partner in disinfection, CloroxPro^® can help.

CloroxPro^®: Helping hospitality.

Click here to learn more about the range of CloroxPro^® products available to meet your needs.

References

1. Byers, J. Half of Canadian Hotels near closing due to COVID-19, says industry leader. https://www.thestar.com/business/2020/11/17/half-of-canadian-hotels-near-closing-due-to-covid-19-says-industry-leader.html. Accessed March 30, 2021.
2. Thibedeau, H. Devastated by the pandemic, Canada’s hotels make plans to reopen. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pandemic-coronavirus-covid-hotels-1.5585215. Accessed March 30, 2021.
3. Government of Canada. Risk mitigation tool for workplaces/businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/risk-informed-decision-making-workplaces-businesses-covid-19-pandemic.html. Accessed March 31, 2021
4. York Region Public Health. COVID-19: Guidance for Local Hotel and accommodations sector. https://www.york.ca/wps/wcm/connect/yorkpublic/9006c3bc-d63e-4226-88b1-1d93918d73b7/COVID19+Guidance+for+Hotels+and+Accommodation+Sector.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_29D41BG0PGOC70QQGGJK4I0004-9006c3bc-d63e-4226-88b1-1d93918d73b7-nfa9SRs Accessed March 2, 2021.
5. Government of Canada. Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces during COVID-19.https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/diseases-conditions/cleaning-disinfecting-public-spaces.html. Accessed April 14, 2021.
6. World Health Association. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): How is it transmitted? https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-is-it-transmitted#:~:text=The%20virus%20can%20also%20spread,cleaned%20their%20hands%20first. Accessed April 14, 2021.
7. Public Health Ontario. Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings. https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet-covid-19-environmental-cleaning.pdf?la=en. Accessed March 2, 2021.
8. CBC News. Dirty hotels: 6 germ hotspots to worry about. https://www.cbc.ca/news/dirty-hotels-6-germ-hotspots-to-worry-about-1.2100864. Accessed April 14, 2021.
9. Government of Canada. Hard-surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19): List of disinfectants with evidence for use against COVID-19. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html. Accessed February 18, 2021. [LINK TO: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html.]

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