Covid Reopening Holiday Homes

COVID lifespan and management explained to support the reopening of holiday homes in Wales

These additional precautions will be implemented from post Covid reopening of holiday homes and will continue for a minimum of 6 months. During this period NetLet UK will be closely adhering to the guidelines and advise set out from the Government until a time it is deemed fit for business to return to normal.

NetLet UK would like to inform and educate individuals on why these additional precautions are going to be implemented followed by a strategy to guarantee properties remain occupied, profitable and a safe environment for guests and visiting friends and family.

Firstly, it is essential that a clear understanding of how COVID 19 behaves in certain environments, is key to ensuring and cross-contamination is reduced and managed to the highest standards. This next section will outline the methods and strategies required to disinfect and sanitise COVID-19 within your property.

COVID Cleaning in Holiday Homes

Cleaning a holiday home is no small task, even when we are not re-opening holiday homes post a COVID pandemic. A Housekeeper is expected to take a property that is in disarray from departing guests and completely reset it—eradicating the microbes that have been left behind in the property and creating a like-new experience for arriving guests. Holiday home professionals understand that cleaning a property effectively requires specific training, appropriate supplies, and a systematic process.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Net Let UK are recommending that existing cleaning programs be augmented to include even more rigorous sanitisation and disinfection protocols.

All holiday home staff/housekeepers/technicians or other employees should complete training regarding proper and safe cleaning techniques and property security. Teams need to understand how to safely use chemical products (such as germicides used to clean bathrooms) and dispose of refuse, cleaning supplies, and biohazards appropriately.

COVID-19; Disinfection and Sanitisation Explained

Small viral particles can hang in the air for many hours. The currently information available WHO suggests that respiratory droplets can last up to 3 hours in the air. Respiratory droplets are heavier than smaller aerosol particles, which can linger in the air for a longer time. To date, the scientific research is still unclear as to how long smaller COVID-19 particles may stay suspended in air, and what possible infection rates may stem from aerosols. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the COVID-19 virus can survive up to three days on hard metal surfaces and plastic and up to 24 hours on cardboard. During that window of the time, the virus does begin to weaken. In light of these findings, it is recommended that waiting for the majority of airborne droplets to settle (at least 3 hours) is the safest course of action. A timeframe of up to 24 hours between the last exit from a property and next entry is reasonable, if the business needs can accommodate longer wait times.

• Cleaning is defined as “the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.”
• Disinfection is a separate step that should come after if surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned prior to disinfection.
• Disinfection vs. sanitisation: These two activities are not the same. Sanitising refers to reducing the number of germs to a safe level by cleaning. Disinfecting refers to killing nearly 100% of germs on surfaces or objects. It is important to note that when a surface has been disinfected, if there are virus particles in the air, those particles may settle on the newly cleaned surface. This means that the surface is now in a sanitised state, not a disinfected state. This concept holds true, regardless of whether we are talking about the COVID-19 virus or other viruses, bacteria, dust, or other particles. For this reason, it is recommended to be cautious with advertising that property is truly “100% disinfected” and suggests language instead that says that the use of disinfecting products and/or that properties have been through a disinfection process.

COVID 19; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

It has been strongly emphasises the importance of ensuring the appropriate use of all personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, disposable gloves, and, in some cases, splash goggles for any entry into a property, even after the 24-hour waiting period. Splash goggles to cover the eyes and a mask that covers the nose and mouth and creates a good seal against the face should be required for any entry to a property within the 3-hour timeframe for respiratory droplet settling.

Properly dispose of gloves and use hand sanitiser when finished and BEFORE entering your property

COVID-19; Hand washing and Hygiene

Hand hygiene, either with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading infections to others. Indeed, hand hygiene is an easy, inexpensive, and effective mean to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy. Please, follow carefully the steps shown in this training video to know how to hand wash with soap and water, and watch our other video on hand rubbing : https://youtu.be/ZnSjFr6J9HI

All staff should continue proper hand washing protocols throughout the day and should avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. A hand washing guide can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PmVJQUCm4E 

Useful Links:

• https://www.vrma.org/page/vrhp/vrma-cleaning-guidelines-for-covid-19
• https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations
• https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973
• https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
• https://vimeo.com/400609879
• https://vimeo.com/400609879
• https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2