RETURN TO CAMPUS—There’s Cleaning, and Then There’s CLEANING!!!!

We all have our methods of cleaning based on events. There’s Level 1: “Hey, it’s Saturday. Let’s get this house cleaned up” and Level 2: the “Oh my gosh, your mother’s coming!” And then, there’s Defcon 5: “All three kids had pneumonia…and chicken pox!!!!” The urgency is in the number of exclamation points.

On a regular basis, NOVA’s facilities and cleaning crews engage in daily, routine cleaning—removing trash from offices, dusting, vacuuming and wiping down hard surfaces using standard cleaning supplies.

Until the threat of COVID-19 has fully passed, NOVA is undertaking an enhanced level of cleaning—this includes routine cleaning, but with added disinfecting of high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, handrails, elevator buttons, etc.; treating soft surfaces like couches and chairs with EPA-approved products and wiping down electronics with EPA-approved products.

When there is a known exposure to the COVID-19 virus, the College may close the space until the virus dies or perform what’s known as “deep cleaning.” Deep cleaning requires cleaning crews wearing special protective gear to completely disinfect all surfaces and flush air systems.

As NOVA faculty, staff and students prepare to return to our campuses, we can return with the assurance that the facilities are being properly cleaned. Going a step farther, NOVA asks that those on campus use the provided disinfectants, paper towels (or wipes) and antibacterial products to thoroughly wipe down surfaces when entering and exiting their space. This is just that added step to make sure that germs don’t have a chance.