Notice on the Issuance of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Health Protection Guide for Public Spaces

Promulgation Date: 2020-1-30
Title: Notice on the Issuance of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia  Health Protection Guide for Public Spaces 
Document Number:肺炎机制发〔2020〕15号
Expiration date: 
Promulgating Entities: State Council Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Joint Prevention and Control Response Mechanism
Source of text: http://www.nhc.gov.cn/jkj/s7916/202001/d9ae8301384a4239a8041d6f77da09b6.shtml

To the joint mechanism (leading group, command department) for the prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia for each province, autonomous region, and directly-governed municipality:

These "Public Venue Health Protection Guide for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia" has been formulated.n order to guide the implementation of preventive health protection measures to prevent the transmission and spread of novel coronavirus pneumonia by hotels, shopping centers, cinemas, swimming pools, museums, train station (airport) waiting areas, office buildings and other public places and workplaces where people often congregate. They are hereby issued to you, please reference them in implementation.

State Council Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Epidemic Joint Prevention and Control Response Mechanism

January 30, 2020

I. Scope of Application

This guide is for use during the period in which the novel coronavirus pneumonia is active, for sanitary protection measures such as disinfection, ventilation, and personal protections inf public spaces and workplaces where people congregate in normal use, such as hotels, shopping centers, theaters, swimming pools, museums, train station (airport) waiting areas, and offices.

II. Operational Guide for Venue Sanitation

(1) Cleaning and disinfection.

1. Do a good of of cleaning and disinfecting the exterior of items. The environment should be kept tidy and clean, regularly disinfecting it each day and doing a good job of keeping records of cleaning and disinfecting. Surfaces of items that have a high rate of contact (like elevator buttons, handrails, door handles, etc.) may be sprayed or wiped with a disinfectant containing 250 mg/L to 500 mg/L of chlorine, or may be wiped with disinfectant cloths.

2. When vomiting occurs, the vomitus shall be immediately covered and disinfected with disposable absorbent material with sufficient disinfectant (such as disinfectant containing chlorine) or an effective disinfectant dry towel; and after the vomitus is removed, the surface of the object shall be disinfected with quaternary ammonium salt disinfectant or chlorine-containing disinfectant.

3. Strengthen the disinfection of utensils for eating (drinking), removing food residue from and cleaning them, then boiling or steam disinfecting them for 15 minutes; use thermal disinfection cabinet and other such methods of disinfection methods; or soak and disinfect for 30 minute in a solution with an effective chlorine content of 250mg/L and rinse the residual disinfectant after disinfection.

4. Keep clothes, bedding, seat covers, and other fabrics clean, they may be periodically cleaned and disinfected. Steaming or boiling for 30 minutes may be used, or soak in a 500mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 minutes, and then wash normally.

5. Sanitary ware can be soaked or wiped with a disinfectant containing chlorine with an effective chlorine content of 500 mg/L, and after 30 minutes, the sanitary ware is to be rinsed with clean water and dried for later use.

6. When suspected or confirmed cases manifest, carry out disinfectant and disposal with the guidance of professionals.

(2) Ventilation. Ventilation should be strengthened in venues to maintain indoor air circulation; natural ventilation is preferred, and doors and windows should be opened as much as possible for ventilation, but mechanical ventilation can also be used. If air conditioning is used, the safety of the air conditioning system's air supply should be ensured, ensuring adequate fresh air input, and that all exhaust is discharged directly outside. When air-conditioning is not in use, the air passage should be closed.

(3) Hand washing facilities. Ensure that hand-washing facilities are operating normally, equip hand sanitizer, and where there is the capacity, induction-style hand sanitizers may be used.

(4) Garbage disposal. Strengthen garbage sorting, prompt collection, and removal. Increase the cleaning of garbage cans and other garbage containers, and they may be disinfected regularly. They may be sprayed or wiped with a disinfectant containing 250 mg/L to 500 mg/L of chlorine or may be wiped with disinfectant cloths

(5) Set up emergency response areas. It is recommended that emergency response areas be set up in public venues and that when suspected or confirmed cases arise, they are promptly brought to these areas for temporary isolation and then addressed in accordance with other relevant standardized requirements.

(6) Health education. In conspicuous areas on-site, use methods such as broadcasting videos or educational drawings to carry out health education on prevention and control.

III. Personal Protection Guide.

(1) Protection of workers.

1. Pay atention to individual protection. In public places with a more dense population, it is recommended that staff wear surgical masks (or other higher-grade masks). It is recommended to wear work clothes and maintain their cleanliness with periodic washing and disinfecting. Steaming or boiling for 30 minutes may be used, or soak in a 500mg/L chlorine disinfectant for 30 minutes, and then wash normally. Where suspected or confirmed cases present, carry out protections under the guidance of professionals.

2. Pay attention to hand sanitation. Procedures for hand sanitation shall be strengthened, with staff carrying out hand sanitation at any time. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer disinfectant, and when there is contamination visible to the naked eye, wash hands with liquid soap under running water.

3. Pay attention to physical state. Pay attention to one's physical condition at work: When experiencing fever, cough or other symptoms, one should promptly go to the designated hospitals for treatment in accordance with regulations, avoiding taking public transportation such as buses and subways as much as possible, and should wear surgical masks (or other even higher-grade masks) for the entirety of the way to the hospital and throughout the hospital.

(2) Protection for mobile personnel

1, Reduce gatherings. During the period in which the novel coronavirus pneumonia is spreading, avoid going to crowded areas, especially those with poor circulation, reduce unnecessary outings, and do a good job of personal protection and hand sanitation if going out. In public places with a relatively dense population, wearing surgical masks is recommended.

2. Wash your hands. Reduce contact with public objects in public spaces as much as possible, and wash hands with hand sanitizer or soap under flowing water or use antibacterial hand gel containing alcohol after returning from public places, after coughing into ones' hands, and before or after eating; avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with your hands when you are not sure whether your hands are clean; and cover your nose and mouth with your clothed elbow when sneezing or coughing. Reduce contact with others, use nodding to replace shaking hands, and when the circumstances permit, maintain a definite distance from other people as much as possible.

3. Management of visiting personnel. During the spread of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, venues such as office buildings shall strengthen efforts such as for monitoring the health and registering visitors.