G REEN S E AL’ S

Guidelines for Safer

COVID-19 Cleaning
and Disinfection
Effective and responsible
cleaning and disinfecting practices
for occupant health and safety

U PDATE D AUG UST 1 , 2020

Introduction

As offices, schools, colleges, public facilities and other buildings

reopen across the country, people are returning to indoor
environments transformed by COVID-19. A clear and thorough
cleaning and disinfecting plan that prioritizes health and safety
will help protect cleaning personnel and building occupants while
the pandemic persists.
This document, intended for facility, property and housekeeping managers, provides actionable guidelines
for the safe and effective cleaning and disinfection of occupied spaces. These five best practices are based
on the latest scientific understanding of the particular characteristics of the COVID-19 virus. They also
reflect Green Seal’s expertise in setting science-based standards for high-performance cleaning products,
principles, and practices that reduce unnecessary use of hazardous chemicals and promote safer and
healthier indoor air.

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 2

Understanding COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. The most
common transmission pathway for COVID-19 is person to person, but transmission from surface-
to-person and via aerosolized particles is also possible. Best practices for limiting person-to-person
transmission include physical distancing, the use of facial coverings, and careful hand hygiene.

COVID-19 viruses are surrounded by a protective lipid envelope, which can be easily broken apart by
hand soap, alcohol hand sanitizer, and many types of disinfectant products . Although a COVID-19 virus-
free environment cannot be guaranteed, the actions recommended in these guidelines can reduce the
risk of surface-to-person transmission.

Planning for Workplace Reopening

Property owners, operators, and managers should assemble teams with appropriate technical expertise
to create a written plan for workplace reopening that incorporates the cleaning and disinfecting guidance
in this document. Cleaning services providers are an essential part of the planning team because they
will be responsible for implementing many of the measures. The plan should conform to any federal,
state and local requirements for workplace reopening. Public health agencies and cleaning product
suppliers may have information to help ensure that the cleaning and disinfecting portion of the plan
reflect best practices, current technologies, and regulatory compliance.

This Green Seal document summarizes five cleaning and disinfecting best practices to help
prevent the spread of COVID-19:

1 Create a cleaning and disinfecting plan.

2 Ensure that cleaning personnel are properly trained.

3 Maintain sustainability and healthy indoor air.

4 Communicate the cleaning and disinfecting plan.

5 Provide safer working conditions.

These evidence-based cleaning and disinfecting practices build on “Reopening Guidance for Cleaning
and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes,” developed by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).2 These
practices also incorporate the LEED® requirements for earning Pilot Credit - Safety First: Cleaning and
Disinfecting Your Space.3 (LEED) Practices that contribute to the LEED Pilot Credit are noted in blue text
throughout this document. These guidelines also align with the requirements in the features related to
cleaning products, practices, and protocols in WELL v2 and the recently announced WELL Health Safety
Rating for Facilities Management and Operations.

1
https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/infectious-disease/How-we-know-disinfectants-should-kill-the-COVID-19-coronavirus/98/web/2020/03
2
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html
3
https://www.usgbc.org/credits/safety-first-137-v4.1

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 3

 1 Create a cleaning and disinfecting plan.

Indoors
Whereas Green Seal’s cleaning services standard (GS-42) recommends
sanitizing restrooms and disinfecting break rooms and dining rooms
during normal operations, the current evidence-based approach
recommends increased disinfecting practices while COVID-19 is ongoing.

When and Where to Disinfect

Routinely High-touch surfaces such as

doorknobs, elevator buttons
disinfect: and light switches.

Close for 24 hours All areas possibly touched

by a person suspected
and then disinfect: of infection.

Clean, but Outdoor areas.

don’t disinfect:

Hard-to-disinfect items like

Consider area rugs, fabric-covered
removing: reception chairs, high-touch
screens, and remote controls.

The COVID-19 response team should prepare plans for three cleaning and disinfecting scenarios
for indoor spaces:

A Workplace reopening: If a building had reduced operations or was temporarily shut down, take
the following steps before increased occupancy:
• Assess the building for mold and excess moisture to determine whether any remediation is
needed. Follow CDC’s recommendations for flushing the water system and individual water
fixtures to remove stagnant water and potential pathogens and pollutants that may have built
up during the shutdown. According to CDC, reductions in normal water use can lead to mold
and Legionella, as well as other hazards.4

4
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 4

 • Run any inactive HVAC systems for 48 to 72 hours and determine whether any filters need to
be cleaned or replaced.
• Conduct routine cleaning and disinfecting if the building has been unoccupied for at least
seven days, following the steps in scenario B. This is a CDC recommendation.

If anyone was in the building seven days prior to workplace reopening, conduct enhanced cleaning
and disinfecting throughout the building, following the steps in scenario C.

B Routine cleaning and disinfecting: As more people return to the workplace, routine cleaning
should be paired with regular disinfection of high touch areas.
• Refer to CDC’s decision tool to create a detailed list of high-touch areas to be disinfected.5
(LEED) For example, the building’s entry door will be handled more than an office door that is
kept open all day. Other likely high-touch items include elevator buttons, restroom surfaces,
phones, and stair railings. Consider reducing high-touch areas by temporarily removing
shared items like remote controls and difficult-to-disinfect items like reception area chairs
and rugs.
• Determine the frequency of cleaning and disinfection. Scheduling around an average number of
unique touches may be a better approach than scheduling based on time alone. For example, an
office entrance and lobby should be cleaned and disinfected more frequently at the times when
occupants are entering or exiting the building (morning, lunchtime, close of business).
• Implement a policy to regularly verify cleaning and disinfecting efficacy, beyond a visual
inspection (LEED), for continuous improvement in cleaning and disinfecting practices.6 One
method to quantify cleanliness is ATP monitoring, which measures the amount of residual
organic material. Although ATP monitoring cannot detect the COVID-19 virus, it can detect
respiratory droplets or fecal matter that may be infected. Another option that uses cleanliness
as a proxy for disinfection efficacy is to apply fluorescent markers to high touch surfaces prior
to cleaning and to use ultraviolet light after cleaning and disinfecting to identify any missed
spots.
• Consider how cleaning schedules may be affected by COVID-19 policies. Nighttime cleaning
services alone may no longer be enough, given the need for targeted cleaning and disinfecting
during business hours. If building occupants work in shifts, cleaning and disinfecting routines
may have to be adjusted.

C Following a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case: Cleaning and disinfecting should be enhanced
if someone with COVID-19 was in the building. Even if the case is only suspected, do not wait for
the infection to be confirmed: the current lag between testing and results creates a risk that the
virus will spread. CDC recommends the following steps for enhanced COVID-19 disinfecting:
1. Immediately close off areas visited by the ill persons, including offices, restrooms, common
areas, and shared electronic equipment, from other people.
2. Open windows and doors where possible and safe, and operate fans (including heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning fan systems) to increase the ventilation rate in affected areas.

5
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/cleaning-disinfecting-decision-tool.html
6
https://www.cdc.gov/hai/toolkits/appendices-evaluating-environ-cleaning.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 5

 3. Leave the spaces where the suspected case occupied vacant for 24 hours to reduce the viral
load before allowing cleaning personnel to enter.
4. Clean and disinfect all areas used by the ill persons. Vacuum the space if needed, using a
high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

Outdoors
High-touch outdoor surfaces made of plastic or metal should be routinely
cleaned and disinfected. Otherwise, CDC recommends routine cleaning
of outdoor spaces but discourages widespread spraying of disinfectants in
outdoor areas, such as on wooden surfaces (benches, tables), groundcovers
(mulch), and sidewalks or roads.

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 6

 2 Ensure that cleaning personnel are properly trained.

In addition to having the proper products and tools, proper training is essential for safe and effective
cleaning and disinfecting. Confirm that service provider partners are implementing in-person training
and providing materials in appropriate languages for cleaning personnel prior to workplace reopening.

Enhance training for cleaning staff

All cleaning personnel should receive in-person training
in appropriate languages on:

Safe and effective handling

Proper cleaning procedures
and use of products

Use and maintenance Use of PPE, including how

of cleaning equipment to avoid cross-contamination

Preventing ergonomic injuries Recognizing COVID-19 symptoms

Typical training for cleaning and disinfecting should cover:

• Safe handling of all cleaning and disinfecting products, effective cleaning procedures, and the use
and maintenance of cleaning equipment. (LEED) Cleaning personnel who know how to correctly use
products and equipment are more efficient and effective at cleaning and disinfecting, and also reduce
product waste and chemical exposure.
• Standard safety precautions, such as reducing and preventing ergonomic injuries. (LEED)
• Training on when to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), what kind of PPE to wear, and how to
put on and take off PPE to avoid cross contamination.7 Training should also include proper disposal of
regulated waste and PPE. (LEED)
Consider choosing a cleaning service that is certified to Green Seal’s GS-42 Standard for Cleaning
Services, which ensures third-party verified training and rigorous procedures for effective cleaning and
disinfecting.

COVID-19 necessitates more than the usual cleaning and disinfecting training. To reduce the possibility
of transmission, the World Health Organization recommends additional training on risk assessment
and transmission-based precautions.8 Cleaning personnel should know how to recognize symptoms of
COVID-19 and what to do if they exhibit any of the signs.

7
https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/ppe_en.pdf?ua=1
8
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/cleaning-and-disinfection-of-environmental-surfaces-inthe-context-of-covid-19

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 7

 According to the CDC, the following If someone is showing any of the
symptoms9 may appear 2-14 days after following signs, seek emergency medical
exposure to the COVID-19 virus: care immediately:

• Fever or chills • Trouble breathing

• Cough • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • New confusion
• Fatigue • Inability to wake or stay awake
• Muscle or body aches • Bluish lips or face
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Ensure that all new staff are properly trained before beginning at the worksite. Training on safe and correct
usage should be provided for any new devices or types of cleaning or disinfectant products. The science
surrounding the novel coronavirus continues to advance with new research, so ongoing trainings to keep
staff updated on the best practices are recommended.

9
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 8

 3 Maintain sustainability and healthy indoor air.

Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols to protect against COVID-19 should not increase exposure
to hazardous chemicals for cleaning personnel or building occupants. CDC has identified asthmatic
individuals as a high-risk group for COVID-19.10 Choosing safer products, especially those that do not
contain asthmagens, is critical for protecting this high-risk group.

Please do not hoard or overuse cleaning and disinfecting products, or other supplies. (LEED)

Protect Health During the Pandemic

Effective and responsible cleaning and disinfecting =

No unnecessary hazardous chemical exposure

Choose green cleaning Select the

products that are disinfectants on EPA’s
certified for performance List N that have safer
and safety active ingredients

Promote handwashing Choose certified green

over hand sanitizer hand soaps

Cleaning Products
It may be tempting to choose conventional chemical cleaners, but the use of certified green cleaners,
such as those certified by Green Seal, is more important than ever during this time of increased cleaning
frequency. (LEED) Certified cleaners are proven to be as safe yet just as effective as harsher, more caustic
cleaning products at removing dirt and grime.

Certified green cleaners have benefits beyond safer ingredients and proven efficacy: they are concentrates,
designed to be diluted with unheated water, and thus they prevent packaging waste and reduce energy
consumption for transportation and water heating.

10
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 9

Disinfectants
There are many types of disinfectant products on EPA’s List N, all of which are effective at deactivating
SARS-CoV-2 if used correctly. Because disinfectants are designed to kill pathogens, however, none can
be completely harmless, so EPA does not allow manufacturers to label disinfectant solutions with third-
party certifications, such as Green Seal. Nevertheless, there are safer options.

Green Seal recommends choosing List N products with one of the following
active ingredients:

• hydrogen peroxide**
• citric acid
• lactic acid
• ethyl alcohol (also called ethanol or just alcohol), or
• isopropyl alcohol
• peroxyacetic acid**
• sodium bisulfate
• hypochlorous acid
**The combination of hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid is a designated AOEC asthmagen, so avoid products that contain both.

EPA’s Design for the Environment program (DfE) has reviewed and approved the first six active
disinfectant ingredients as being safer than other EPA List N chemicals, but just as effective. LEED®
also requires use of the active ingredients recommended by DfE to earn the LEED® pilot credit for
cleaning and disinfecting. (LEED) In addition to DfE’s recommendations, hypochlorous acid is another
active ingredient effective against the COVID-19 virus with a low hazard profile. Green Seal has certified
several device-generated hypochlorous acid solutions for use as surface cleaners and disinfectants.

A product’s inactive ingredients and other factors may affect its safety. Refer to the product safety data
sheet (SDS) for information on whether the overall product is classified as hazardous by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Hand Soaps and Sanitizers

Promote frequent handwashing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Certified hand soaps, such as those
certified under Green Seal Standard GS-41, can reduce the occurrence of irritated skin and therefore
allow increased frequency of handwashing.

Other Supplies
Increased use of disposable gloves is inevitable while the pandemic lasts. Wise purchasing decisions
can nevertheless help lessen the environmental and health side effects of keeping people safe. Provide
disposable hand towels with recycled content, such as those certified under Green Seal Standard GS-
01, in restrooms without air hand dryers. Choose reusable options for cleaning where possible, such as
microfiber towels and mops (which have the added benefit of requiring less water than other materials)
that can be laundered after each use. Use trash bags, mops, buckets, and other cleaning tools that meet
EPA procurement guidelines or other similar requirements.

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 10

 Should you use these application methods if listed on a List N product label?

Brush, wipe, cloth, sponge,

mop, autoscrubber, or directly Follow label directions for specific
on surface with a mechanical YES application instructions, including
spray device (coarse setting) required contact times and PPE.
or by immersion

Only select List N products are approved

ONLY IN for use with electrostatic sprayers. Verify
Electrostatic Sprayers UNOCCUPIED on the product label and follow specific
SPACES application instructions, including for
required contact times and PPE.

Increases hazardous chemical exposure

Foggers NO
and provides no added benefit.

What disinfectant application options are there?

Like the disinfectants themselves, some application methods are safer than others. Some technologies
being marketed for controlling COVID-19 unnecessarily increase hazardous exposures, and others
require more proof of efficacy and safety.

Only use application methods that are listed on the disinfectant’s label. If instructions for a specific
method are not found on the label, it means that the EPA has not reviewed any data on whether the
product is effective or safe when applied this way.

• Wiping a surface with a cloth, mop, or sponge soaked in disinfectant leads to the lowest inhalation
exposure. Using a trigger sprayer to spraying coarse droplets of disinfectant directly on the surface is
another option, but can lead to increased risk of inhalation.
• Electrostatic sprayer devices spray disinfectant through a nozzle containing an electrode that charges
the droplets to increase product coverage rates.

– Only a small subset of EPA List N products is currently approved for use with electrostatic sprayers.
Before applying a disinfectant with an electrostatic sprayer, it is important to verify that the
product label specifies that the disinfectant is approved for use with electrostatic sprayers. If so,
follow the label instructions for use with electrostatic sprayers and ensure that proper PPE is worn.
– EPA and CDC are conducting further review to determine whether additional List N products are
safe and effective when used with electrostatic sprayers.11

11
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-expands-research-covid-19-environment

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 11

 • Both CDC and WHO discourage using a fogger to saturate the air in a room with droplets of
disinfectant.12,13 This method has not been proven more effective than other methods of application
and can increase the risk of exposure to dangerous concentrations of chemicals. These conditions of use
may limit the fogger’s usefulness in larger indoor spaces.

– If the only option is to use foggers, choose products with safer active ingredients that list fogger on
the label as an approved application method. Ensure that the room is properly sealed off to entry
for the appropriate amount of time during and following disinfectant application, according to
manufacturer directions. Ensure that appropriate PPE is worn.

Should you use device-generated solutions for disinfecting?

Hypochlorous acid can be generated

Hypochlorous Acid on-site. EPA List N hypochlorous
YES
(Electrolyzed Water) products can also be purchased ready
to use off the shelf.

While an effective surface cleaner,

it cannot be included on EPA List N
CHECK WITH
because it can only be generated on-site.
Aqueous Ozone DEVICE
Check with device manufacturers about
MANUFACTURER
efficacy against the virus that causes
COVID-19.

Can device-generated solutions be used?

EPA’s List N only includes registered pesticides. Pesticide devices are regulated differently by the EPA, so
any solutions generated on-site by a device are not eligible for inclusion on List N. However, these device-
generated solutions can still play an important role in cleaning and disinfecting.

• As seen in an earlier section, EPA List N includes ready to use hypochlorous acid solutions that can
be purchased.
– If using device-generated solutions, refer to the device manufacturer for additional information on
efficacy against the COVID-19 virus.
• Aqueous ozone is an effective surface cleaner and has been approved for use as a sanitizer for
certain pathogens on surfaces. Aqueous ozone can only be generated by a device, so it is not
regulated the same way as ready to use pesticides. EPA’s List N only include registered pesticides,
so ozone is not eligible for inclusion on the list. Some device manufacturers have conducted studies
that show that aqueous ozone can deactivate coronaviruses similar to the COVID-19 virus, and
additional testing on the SARS-CoV-2 virus itself is underway.

12
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/index.html
13
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/cleaning-and-disinfection-of-environmental-surfaces-inthe-context-of-covid-19

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 12

 – Refer to the device manufacturer for additional information on efficacy and safety.
– Note: Ozone gas is toxic. When inhaled at high concentrations, ozone can damage the lungs and
exacerbate asthma. At high concentrations, ozone can also damage materials such as rubber, fabric,
and electrical wire coatings. EPA has not approved gaseous ozone generators for use in occupied
indoor spaces.

Should you use these alternative options for disinfecting?

EPA and CDC are reviewing efficacy

ONLY USE for disinfecting large areas. Though
UNDER THE
UV-C a known carcinogen, it could be
GUIDANCE OF
a useful secondary method for killing
PROFESSIONALS
airborne virus.

Ultrasonic waves There is no data to suggest these are

NO
or LED blue light effective against COVID-19.

EPA and CDC are conducting a joint evaluation on the efficacy of using ultraviolet, ozone, or steam to
disinfect large-scale areas.

• UV-C light can reduce the total pathogenic load in air and on surfaces and has been shown to destroy
coronaviruses similar to the COVID-19 virus. However, UV-C is a known carcinogen and can damage
skin and eyes. Efficacy is also constrained by whether the light can reach the all the sides of materials
and surfaces that may be covered with COVID-19 virus for a sufficient exposure time.

– Despite these limitations, UV-C light could be a useful secondary method of disinfection if applied
safely, such as installation in air ducts to treat airborne viruses. This is outside the scope of this
guidance document.
– Due to the known health hazards of UV-C, this technology should only be implemented by trained
professionals.
– Note: Ozone gas is toxic. When inhaled at high concentrations, ozone can damage the lungs and
exacerbate asthma. At high concentrations, ozone can also damage materials such as rubber, fabric,
and electrical wire coatings. EPA has not approved gaseous ozone generators for use in occupied
indoor spaces.

• No data indicate that ultrasonic waves or LED blue light is effective against coronavirus.14

14
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 13

 4 Communicate the cleaning and disinfecting plan.

COVID-19 is currently the top health concern for many, and transparency is critical for maintaining
trust with property personnel, building occupants and other stakeholders. Develop and follow a
communications plan to keep stakeholders apprised of actions being taken about the virus.

Communications Essentials
Emergency communications Signs indicating whether
procedures for suspected spaces are closed for cleaning
COVID-19 cases in the building or safe to re-enter

Informational materials for Actions people can take, like

cleaning personnel to share with clearing workstations, to help
building occupants cleaning personnel

The plan should specify an emergency communications procedure if there is a suspected COVID-19 case
in the building. When the pandemic first reached the United States, cleaning personnel were not always
advised that a space had been occupied by a suspected confirmed case15 – critical information that would
have allowed them both to protect themselves and to clean and disinfect the space and protect building
occupants. Cleaning staff must be told immediately about any suspected cases.

Building management should confirm when each tenant’s space will be unoccupied and available for
cleaning staff and have a protocol if the space is found occupied. Clear signage and emails identifying
spaces closed for disinfecting and spaces safe to reenter will reduce confusion.

In addition, provide materials that cleaning personnel can share to answer occupants’ questions about
cleaning procedures. (LEED) Include actions that occupants should take to help cleaning personnel
effectively clean and disinfect, such as clearing workstations at the end of each day.

15
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/18/us/coronavirus-janitors-cleaners.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 14

 5 Provide safer working conditions.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, implement building-wide policies for occupants and
cleaning personnel to practice physical distancing of at least six feet from other individuals and to wear
facial coverings, regardless of the cleaning or disinfecting activity being undertaken.

COVID-19 has introduced considerations beyond those used to reduce exposure to chemical products
for cleaning personnel. For cleaning and disinfecting, the most effective PPE items should be worn, to
protect staff from both the virus and the chemicals. (LEED)

Provide safer working conditions

Physical distancing Hand hygiene supplies and
reminders

Personal Protective Equipment Changing room and clothing

(PPE) storage for cleaning personnel

Adequate ventilation Paid sick leave policies

Additional precautions can be implemented to create a safer work environment for both occupants and
cleaning personnel:
• Provide adequate ventilation to help reduce transmission of COVID-19 as well as reduce buildup of
indoor air pollutants that are released during cleaning and disinfecting.16
• Facilitate effective hand hygiene. Where water and soap are unavailable for handwashing, provide
alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropanol). Remind people to
avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Discuss the importance of paid sick leave with service provider partners and building tenants. CDC
has found that paid sick leave reduces viral transmission.17
• Provide space for cleaning personnel to store a change of clothes and a place to change out of
uniforms or designated work clothes at the end of their shift.18 Facilitating this simple activity will
help reduce the risk of spreading the virus outside of the workplace.
• Encourage cleaning service providers to use tools, equipment, and procedures to reduce ergonomic
injuries. (LEED)

16
https://www.aiha.org/public-resources/consumer-resources/coronavirus_outbreak_resources/aiha-covid-19-pandemic-efforts
17
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23763426/
18
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/schools/cleanihe.html

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 15

Conclusion

Properly implemented, the effective and responsible cleaning

and disinfecting practices recommended in this document will
help protect building occupants and cleaning personnel during
the COVID-19 pandemic while avoiding the use of hazardous
chemicals, technologies and practices that increase health risks
yet provide no additional protective benefits.
Cleaning and disinfecting is only one aspect of maintaining the health and wellness of building
occupants. The building environment can help limit the spread of COVID-19 if air filtration and
humidity levels are increased. Workplace policies, including physical distancing, wearing face masks,
and paid sick leave, can also reduce virus transmission.19

In addition to these Green Seal guidelines, other organizations have useful resources for safer
workplace reopening. These include the EPA, the CDC, International WELL Building Institute,
Building Owners and Managers Association International (BOMA Intl), FITWEL, the American
Institute of Architects (AIA), and Cushman Wakefield.20,21,22,23

19
https://www.fitwel.org/covid-19/
20
https://resources.wellcertified.com/tools/strategies-from-the-well-building-standard-to-support-in-the-fight-against-covid-19/
21
https://www.boma.org/coronavirus
22
https://www.aia.org/resources/6292441-re-occupancy-assessment-tool
23
https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/insights/covid-19/recovery-readiness-a-how-to-guide-for-reopening-your-workplace

GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19 CLEANING & DISINFECTION 16