The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought huge impact to the entire world and more specifically to the way people live and think. Ecolab is here to work with you and navigate these unprecedented challenges to your operation together, sharing critical and relevant information to help prevent the spread of infection and provide guidance on re-opening and maintaining a clean, safe and healthy operation. Helping to protect and build confidence with your employees and guests.
Now more than ever, consumers are looking for visible commitments to clean and safe environments. A guarantee of hygiene compliance has become one of the deciding factors when choosing accommodation facilities or a restaurant.
At Ecolab we are helping facilities assure guests that their operation is safe in response to COVID-19 by providing visual signage ‘A Clean You Can Count On’ to use within their own establishments highlighting their commitment to heightened cleaning protocols and customer safety.
View and download our latest guest assurance materials here.
Download and print our wallcharts for hand hygiene and disinfection for food and non- food contact.
Download and print our cleaning and disinfection plans for prevention and in suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Resources, links and suggested best practices for a thoughtful approach to Coronavirus preparation, response and re-opening of your operation safely and efficiently.
Watch Ecolab experts provide an update on the current outbreak, share critical, relevant information and provide practical guidance to help keep your employees and customers safe.
Check back soon for new webinars.
Senior Corporate Scientist, Food Safety and Public Health
Dr. Petran provides technical expertise and consultation to internal and external customers on food safety and public health issues, by identifying and tracking emerging food safety trends and new control strategies.
Q. I need to increase my usage rate or dose of disinfectant or cleaner?
A. The use of specific disinfectants can be helpful in combatting COVID-19. All disinfectants and sanitizers should be used as directed on product label/instructions. This is however a great time to reinforce training and compliance to make sure surfaces and high-touch areas are being properly cleaned and employees are using infection prevention best-practices while at work.
Q. Does Ecolab have a product for use against coronavirus?
A. Yes, we offer specific disinfectants that have demonstrated effectiveness against viruses like the one causing COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) when used as directed. We also offer guidance and training on proper cleaning procedures to help reduce COVID-19 risk. If you are a current customer, you should speak with your account executive for specific information. If you are not a current customer, please visit Ecolab.com to contact us via email or phone.
Q. How long will coronaviruses survive on surfaces?
A. The short answer is we don’t know yet. This is a new virus and studies are just beginning. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that transmission of COVID-19 is not that likely to occur from an infected surface. Practically, the risk will be much lower from surfaces than from a direct droplet traveling through the air from an infected person. As in any potential outbreak situation, proper infection prevention with disinfectant for surfaces and high-touch surfaces is recommended.
Q. How can hospitality employees protect themselves in their work environment?
A. Employees in a hotel or hospitality environment should follow standard infection prevention techniques – things like, washing their hands frequently, staying home when they’re sick, using approved disinfectants with an EPA emerging viral pathogen claim following the specified procedures.
Q: Since testing is not possible using COVID-19, how do you determine what kinds of chemical disinfectants can be used against COVID-19?
A: For emerging or novel viruses like COVID-19, companies are unable to acquire the outbreak strain of virus to test the efficacy of their disinfectant products. Certain countries have policies or general claims that address this (e.g. US EPA Emerging Viral Pathogen Guidance*, EU viral claims) by utilizing a hierarchy of susceptibility of viruses to disinfectants. In general, these policies are based on the ability of a product to kill a ‘harder to kill’ virus and may or may not require preapproval for use in outbreak situations. Care must be taken to use the appropriate dilution at the correct contact time for the suitable application listed on the product label to enable disinfection against SARS-CoV-2. If you are a current customer, you should speak with your account executive for specific information. If you are not a current customer, please visit Ecolab.com to contact us via email or phone.
*In the US a product must be preapproved by US EPA. It must be a hospital disinfectant and carry approved Emerging Viral Pathogen language on the master label.
RD&E Program Lead, Institutional
Ed Snodgrass is a chemical engineer with more than 15 years of experience in new product development and efficacy for the hospitality, long term care and food service industries.
Q. What should I do about linens, bedding and other textiles?
A. There currently isn’t evidence that respiratory viruses like COVID-19 are spread through textiles, linens or bedding. Because droplets may carry disease, proper infection prevention protocol for changing and cleaning linens and bedding is recommended.
Hotel and hospital employees should always wear proper personal protective equipment when handling soiled linen. If a resident or patient is infected with COVID-19 take these steps:
Contact your Ecolab representative for information about proper protocol and disinfectant laundry products.
Q. Spa, Jacuzzi advice?
A. People who are infectious should not be using these areas. High-touchpoint surfaces should be disinfected regularly. Follow standard procedures for maintaining your pool, spa or jacuzzi facilities. There is currently, no evidence of transmission through this route.
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