Plan Outline for COVID Cleaning/Disinfection

Updated 8/18/20

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Preliminary Guidance for Resuming In-Person Instruction at Postsecondary Education Institutions and Adult Education Programs (June3, 2020; Version 1), the Facilities Management Department at Kutztown University will utilize the following protocols as part of the University overall plan to safely resume campus operations.

These protocols were developed based upon what is currently known about COVID-19 and incorporates existing recommendations directed at postsecondary institutions. It should also be noted that this guidance may change as new information becomes available.

Despite best efforts, surfaces cannot be guaranteed to be COVID free at all times.  Each individual should exercise personal responsibility to prevent the spread of COVID by practicing good hygiene and sanitation, following recommended handwashing procedures, and wearing masks.  While hand sanitizer will be available, handwashing following the procedure below is most effective:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hand washing. "Please follow these guidelines"Graphical icons accompany each step: 1. wet hands, 2. apply soap, 3 rub hands, palm to palm, 4. wet hands, 5. scrub between your fingers, 6. rub backs of fingers on the opposing palms, 7. clean thumbs, 8. wash fingernails and fingertips, 9. rinse hands, 10. dry with a single use towel, 11. use the towel to turn off the tap. Thank you!

Routine Cleaning Services Provided by KU Custodial Services

The following services will routinely be provided by Custodial Services Monday – Friday unless otherwise noted:

  1. Office and Academic Buildings, MSU, Recreation Center, Keystone:
    •  Restrooms
      • Thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and trash emptied daily.
      • High Touch Point areas disinfected at least twice daily.
    • Open common use areas such as: lounges; computer labs (excluding IT computers & AV equipment); admin/copy areas; etc.
      • Cleaned, disinfected, and garbage emptied daily.
    • Offices
      • Trash emptied weekly. To minimize traffic in offices, waste cans are to be placed outside the office door on the schedule trash night.
    • High Touch Point areas in buildings disinfected at least twice daily.
  2. Classrooms
    • Cleaned, disinfected, and trash emptied daily.
    • Sanitizing wipes will be available in classrooms for individuals to disinfect personal areas before use.
    • Hand sanitizer will be available in each classroom.
  3. Food Service Facilities
    Cleaning and disinfection services in these facilities are not provided by KU Custodial Services.  Services will be provided in accordance with the Dining Services Re-Opening Plan.
  4. Residence Halls (Serviced seven days per week)
    • Restrooms
      • Thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and trash emptied daily.
      • High Touch Point areas disinfected at least twice daily.
    • Open common use areas such as: lounges; computer labs (excluding IT computers & AV equipment); admin/copy areas; etc.
      • Cleaned, disinfected, and garbage emptied daily.
    • High Touch Point areas in buildings disinfected at least twice daily.

High Touch Point Surfaces Regularly Cleaned by Custodial Services

High Touch point areas regularly cleaned will include:

  • Door knobs/handles in high use/common areas such as building entrances; classrooms; stairwells; restrooms.
  • Handrails in stairwells.
  • Elevator Control Panels/Buttons.
  • Drinking Fountains.
  • Touch points in restrooms such faucet handles; flushometer handles, stall door handles; soap dispensers.

Hand Soap, Hand Sanitizer, and Disinfection Wipes

  • A dispenser and supply of handwashing soap will be maintained at all hand washing locations.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be available at primary building entrances, in each classroom, high volume public face-to-face interaction areas and other locations as recommended by the Emergency Management Team (EMT).
  • Faculty, staff, and students are also encouraged to provide hand sanitizer for their personal use.
  • Sanitizing wipes will be available in each classroom, at high volume face-to-face interaction areas, and other locations as recommended by the EMT.

Event and Camp Services Support

Due to the additional cleaning and disinfecting requirements placed upon custodial staff to support core educational operations of the university, in-house staff will most likely not be available to perform cleaning and disinfection services in a timely manner following large events.  In addition, the requirements to disinfect tables and chairs following one event prior to use by another, will cause scheduling conflicts if not properly managed.

The following recommendations should be taken into consideration for all major events, athletic events, camps, meetings, etc.

  • Work orders notifying Facilities of the event and the needs should be entered a minimum of two weeks in advance.
  • Allow at least 24 hours from the end of one event before the start of another in the same space.

It is extremely probable that in-house custodial staff will not be available to clean and disinfect following an event.  Should this occur, a contract service will be utilized and the cost for that service will be billed to the Department/office/unit that sponsored the event.

Protocol for a Confirmed COVID Case on Campus

Should a case of COVID be confirmed on campus, a contracted service will be engaged to provide disinfection services to all necessary areas in accordance with current CDC and/or PADOH guidelines.