COVID:19- Staying Safe
by Janine, Mar 2020In these uncertain and worrying times, it has been great to know that as a team, we have been helping to reduce the risk of the virus spreading with our regular cleaning efforts.
As an agency, we have been closely monitoring and following the Government advice, and following the announcement from the Prime Minister last night, the advice has now changed again. You are now only permitted to leave the house for work if it is seen as essential work. Some clients may well see their regular cleaning as essential in these times, but if you as a member of the Well Polished team would prefer to stop working, this is absolutely understandable. The Government’s advice is clear – non-essential travel is not permitted.
For those continuing with some cleans can increase the impact they have by focusing on those areas / items in the home that are regularly touched but not regularly cleaned. There is evidence that shows that this virus can live on hard surfaces (plastic, metal etc) for much longer than fabric, cardboard etc – so the regular cleaning is so important.
We are advising that you discuss with any continuing clients the switch to cleaning that is designed to effectively reduce the risk of spreading a virus in their home, with a distinct focus on disinfecting areas such as work surfaces, handrails, door handles, light switches. But also less obvious items such as kettle handles, cupboard knobs, laundry baskets and appliance controls etc. Please use anti-bacterial sprays, disinfectant, detergent etc as much as possible. You could use diluted bleach-based products where appropriate but remember not to use bleach where it could come in contact with fabrics.
Below are some processes to help stop the spread of the virus, we will be adding to this list, please send any other tips you may have:
- Wash your hands upon entering a property
- Arrange with your client to keep the recommended social distance (2 metres) between yourself and anyone else in the property
- Try to arrange to do the cleaning when the property is empty if possible
- If there are people there, suggest that those occupants remain in another room while you clean the rest of the property. You could possibly agree to rotate that room on your next visit
- When you have completed your clean using your clients cloths and equipment, rinse them all through in disinfectant
- Wipe hard surfaces of equipment (mop handle, vacuums handle etc) down with a disinfectant
- Use gloves or any other protective items that you think are necessary, but remember to still wash your hands when you leave the property
Unlike people working in shops, you will come into contact with very few people in our line of work should you continue with any clients. You will mainly be visiting the same people each week and should find it easy to avoid close contact, maintain social distance (2 metres) or even avoid contact with them altogether. You should follow the same advice in your non-working activities as well.
If you develop any symptoms of the virus; self isolate and let us know immediately. We will liaise with your client to try to ensure that you can retain them as a client and return to them as soon as is safe.
If you have clients that are high risk (the elderly or vulnerable), you should not be visiting these under any circumstances.
We realise how important it is for some to keep working for financial reasons, but we also want you to stay safe and keep your clients safe. If you make the decision to stop working, we will be here to support you and build your hours back up when this awful time is over – so please don’t be afraid to do so.
Remember, we’re all in this together.