Now more than ever, cleanliness has become a top priority in not just homes, but more importantly, in business establishments as well. With the ongoing pandemic, hotels and restaurants have taken extra measures to ensure their facilities and overall premises are properly sanitised to accommodate customers safely.
In order to operate regularly, F&B and hotel establishments need to abide by the guidelines set by the Singapore government.
Updated COVID-19 Cleanliness and Sanitation Regulations
Maintaining a safe and clean environment is a conscious effort for both the establishment’s employees and their customers. Both parties need to understand the importance of following strict sanitary regulations to ensure everyone’s safety.
The National Environment Agency’s (NEA) Sanitation and Hygiene Advisory for business establishments include the following:
- Deep cleaning and thorough sanitation of premises
Hotels and restaurants should regularly clean and apply antimicrobial coating on surfaces such as tables, desks, countertops, and floors to ensure that all bacteria are eradicated. Similarly, using standard disinfectants and several cleaning mixtures with at least 70% alcohol content is vital when handling high-touch areas like door handles, elevator buttons, TV remotes, light switches, and tablets. - Washing of all bedding and used towels
All bed linens, pillows, and towels should be washed in 90-degree Celsius water for hotel operators. Afterwards, they should be treated with hospital-grade disinfectants, UV light, and other sanitising solutions. - Carpet and upholstery cleaning
At least once a week, all carpets, furniture, and upholstery in the hotels and restaurants should be washed and cleaned using environmentally-friendly solutions and medically certified germicidal cleaner. - Mandatory temperature screening
All employees and guests are required to have their temperatures checked upon entry. Individuals with a temperature above 37 degrees Celsius should not be allowed on the premises to avoid possible contamination. - Washroom and toilet cleaning
Washrooms and room toilets should be cleaned as often as possible with EPA approved disinfectants for COVID-19. Moreover, faucets, toilet seats, and doorknobs should be wiped constantly throughout the day. - Wearing protective gear
As viruses can spread through the air, all employees should wear appropriate protective gear while accommodating guests and cleaning rooms. Moreover, each staff member should be properly trained to put on and remove their masks and gloves without accidentally contaminating themselves. - Providing alcohol and sanitisers to guests
Hand sanitisers and alcohol must be made readily available in common areas such as toilets, cashiers, entrance and exit points, and other public spaces.
What you need from your Facility Cleaning Crew
With the changes in sanitary and health regulations, hotels need to take extra precautions. Their in-house housekeeping and janitorial crew simply cannot cover all the aspects that this new normal requires. To create a healthy and safe environment in your facility, you need to hire a reliable and professional commercial cleaning company that offers COVID-19 cleaning services.
The facility cleaning crew should be well trained in Pandemic and Infectious Disease Management and should follow health and safety protocols mandated by NEA. They should also provide a list of disinfection services that cater to eliminate the spread of the virus while keeping in line with the standards set by the SG Clean Programme.
As one of the leading countries to successfully contain the virus, Singapore has issued the SG Clean Programme that ensures all tourism establishments abide by seven main points, which include the following:
- Appoint a programme manager to ensure all sanitary measures meet industry standards.
- Have processes to ensure that all employees have their temperatures checked and possible respiratory symptoms properly monitored.
- Have processes in place to check guests, tenants, contractors and suppliers for signs of infection. If they have visited a COVID-19 affected area, they should not be allowed within the establishment’s premises.
- Observe frequent disinfection of common areas and facilities, and ensure that all staff members follow sanitary regulations.
- Verify that necessary procedures are implemented to manage COVID-19 suspect areas accordingly.
- Make sure to create and consistently update COVID-19 related documents for traceability purposes.
- Ensure that all established procedures and protocols are in accordance with COVID-19 government orders and advisories.
An excellent facility cleaning crew not only understands the demands of the establishment but, more importantly, makes it a point to take every precautionary measure to create a healthy environment. With the help of licensed professionals, your business can operate smoothly to thrive amidst the pandemic.
What to Look for When Hiring a Facility Cleaning Crew
Although you have the option to hire cleaners and keep them in-house, outsourcing facility maintenance is more efficient and convenient. They not only possess the knowledge and proper training to do the job properly, but they also have the necessary tools and equipment to give the best results possible.
When looking for a facility cleaning crew, the first thing that you should consider is the company’s reputation. Do they have a good track record? Look for other businesses that have had their services hired and gain their insights.
Another thing to consider is expertise. Do they utilise modern cleaning techniques and innovative equipment? Besides the equipment, the company’s expertise can also be judged based on their workers. Do they have enough manpower to meet your requirements within a given timeline?
Importance of Hiring an Exceptional Facility Cleaning Crew
If you’re in the hotel and F& B industry, cleanliness is one of the most important factors affecting your business amidst the pandemic.
With the help and guidance of an expert facility cleaning crew, you can guarantee a safe environment for all your guests and customers. With proper training and years of experience under their belt, they can better facilitate and properly execute disinfection services.
In doing so, your customers recognise that you can properly manage to take care of your space, they feel much safer engaging with your business.
