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639 Operating Schools During COVID-19: CDC Guidelines
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639 Operating Schools During COVID-19: CDC Guidelines

Cleaning and Disinfection

The EOP should educate everyone and establish requirements for cleaning and disinfecting objects and areas in all school facilities.

A woman wearing a mask cleans a wooden table using a spray bottle and a rag.
Develop a schedule for increased frequency of routine cleaning and disinfection.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently-touched areas within the school and on school grounds.
  • If transport vehicles are used by the school, drivers should practice all safety actions and protocols. To clean and disinfect school buses or other transport vehicles, see guidelines for bus transit operators.
    • Develop a schedule for increased, routine cleaning, and disinfection.
    • Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection supplies, including storing products securely away from children. Use products that meet EPA disinfection criteria.
    • Cleaning products should not be used near children. Staff should ensure adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children or themselves from inhaling toxic fumes.

Shared Objects

Cubby storage shelves with blue and yellow doors on some of the cubbies.
Keep each child's belongings separated from others' and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.

The EOP should educate everyone and establish requirements to limit the sharing of objects and materials among students and staff in schools.

  • Discourage sharing items that are difficult to clean or disinfect.
  • Keep each child's belongings separated from others' and in individually labeled containers, cubbies, or areas.
  • Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing high-touch surfaces or objects. Limit the use of supplies and equipment to one group of children and clean and disinfect between use.
  • Use of shared objects (e.g., gym or physical education equipment, art supplies, toys, games) should be limited or cleaned between use.
  • Avoid sharing electronic devices, toys, books, and other games or learning aids.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

3-6. When should shared objects be cleaned and disinfected?

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