Around the world, companies both big and small have had to adjust and adapt to the threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As economies strive to move forward despite the challenges, many businesses are still left wondering what the new normal will look like for them.
True to the adage, “necessity is the mother of invention,” many businesses have resorted, or better yet adapted, to innovative forms of operation, namely, remote work and “work from home” (WFH). While these strategies have been steadily rising for years already, the pandemic has made virtual communication the only option for many businesses. Thanks to a rapid progress in technology, seamless communication online is not only possible but is also redefining how we measure efficacy at work. Still, there are those industries that require employees on location, which may prove challenging to business owners, especially for those in the MSME (micro, small, medium enterprises) sector.
Now that government-mandated community restrictions are slowly lifting, many are still struggling to find a cost-efficient and effective way to equip their businesses for the ‘new normal.’ With the health and safety of every person determining the health and safety of the rest of the public, an airtight #NewNormal protocol for businesses must be adopted. As the country’s leading authority in environmental disinfection, ISPS is here to offer just that.
New Normal, New Rules
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a point to differentiate “cleaning” and “disinfecting” – highlighting the greater need for disinfection and not just cleaning which does not kill viruses. (Read more here)
Regular disinfection with chemical solutions that are both safe and effective (not all chemicals are created equally) is vital for places and areas wherein people come and go, like restaurants, hotels, banks, and government satellite offices. The pandemic has forced these oft-populated, high-contact establishments to innovate and adapt to the current demands . Furthermore, ramping up the testing and tracing capabilities of the private sector is consistently considered to be the best way to flatten the curve and keep the public safe.
Several establishments were quick to undergo and implement at least one or a combination of these preventive measures to ensure that their customers, clients, and employees are not only safe from the virus but are also not contributing to the burgeoning number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Countless corporations like LG, Conti’s, ABS-CBN, as well as universities like De La Salle and Enderun Colleges, have all installed several sanitization units or decontamination tents at their premises with the help of ISPS. Many more are availing professional office disinfection, misting, bio-fogging, and employee testing services, such as Eagle Broadcasting Company, which is one of the first few to implement a combination of these three (3) anti-COVID services, subjecting each employee to a Rapid Antibody Diagnostics Test (RADT) and launching a full-scale office disinfection with the help of ISPS.
The entertainment industry has also been making strides in this department, with artists and celebrities like Angel Locsin, James Reid, Piolo Pascual, Jasmine Curtis, and Director Joyce Bernal availing sanitization and testing services for their projects and activities. As days pass, more and more organizations in both public and private sectors continue to put up defenses against COVID-19. While different strategies have been adopted by different companies depending on their industry’s demands, one thing is certain: cleaning is not going to be enough for the near future.
Workplace Disinfection Methods: Misting and Bio-fogging
Misting and bio-fogging are ideal safety measures for covering large areas such as arenas, convention centers, sports complexes, and other spacious establishments. The key to a successful misting operation is the chemical solution used. ISPS biocidal mist solution is specially formulated to completely eliminate lingering harmful microorganisms in the air and on surfaces, reducing the probability of getting in contact with bacteria and viruses. We also use an eco-friendly electric cool mist fogger as opposed to a regular fogger which runs on diesel and produces a smoke like emission. Electric bio-fogging is a cleaning treatment done by trained professionals to eliminate hazardous microbial bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may germinate in areas that are usually unreachable by common measures. It creates a mist which safely, quickly, and effectively sanitize surfaces that conventional cleaning cannot cover.
How do misting and fogging work?
The fogging process is rapid and efficient. The biocide particles in the mist or fog are so small that they remain suspended in the air long enough to kill airborne viruses and bacteria. The biocide also eliminates pathogens on surfaces, including ceilings and walls as well as furniture and floors. An advantage with fogging is that the sanitising agent reaches areas that may be difficult to clean with other techniques. Penetration into some nooks and crannies may be limited by obstacles, but in most cases it’s not necessary to move furniture or equipment around before or during the cleaning process. Whereas previously, the chemicals used in fogging could adversely affect materials such as plastic, fabrics and metal – causing corrosion over time – this is no longer a concern. As fogging disperses quickly, it also freshens surrounding air and leaves an area ready for use. Fogging is environmentally and material friendly.
Sustainable Disinfection Methods: EPA-registered Disinfectants and Training for Companies
ISPS is the first in the Philippines to offer a training course and certification for working staff and employees on how to properly perform Misting and Bio-Fogging at your workplace. We provide user-friendly equipment and ready-to-use EPA-registered disinfectants which can easily be administered by your staff so there’s no need to hire sanitation agencies on a regular basis. Using high quality disinfectants that are proven effective against SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus) will ensure that you are disinfecting, and not just simply cleaning. This way, you can ensure the safety of your employees and customers in the most cost-efficient manner as you abide by government protocols.
Employee Testing: Rapid Antibody Diagnostics Test
“It’s important to do constant misting and sanitization in all areas of offices. If we mist entire offices, we also disinfect those areas. So after undergoing rapid testing, the facility won’t recontaminate them. First of all, we have to identify who has it, detect, and then trace it. So test as many people as you can, find out where this pathogen is, and then you can contain it. If we don't know who has it, then we're not going to be able to contain it. So, it's very important to test as many people as you can in order to contain it right away. Otherwise, there's a lot of asymptomatic people that will be spreading the virus.”
One of the ways companies can conduct employee testing is to set up a pop-up rapid test booth at the entrance of their building before letting employees in. It’s a very easy procedure and is not at all time consuming (hence the name) which means you don’t have to worry about the hassle other means of testing may bring. It's a simple prick on the finger or in the vein and the result comes out in minutes. ISPS Rapid Testing included licensed medical practitioners and technicians who are competent and experienced in the required procedures.
The New Business-As-Usual
Employers and business owners need to implement these strategies not only to keep their people safe and healthy, but to ensure their businesses survive. A comprehensive approach, including regular health screenings, frequent environmental disinfection, full-scale office sanitization, rapid testing, and workforce contact tracing, is now part and parcel of the new normal for businesses operating in a post-pandemic world. With these preventive measures in place, businesses can reopen and slowly proceed operating with greater efficiency and confidence that they have done all that is required of them to the best of their abilities.
For disinfection services both within and outside Metro Manila, contact us at:
Phone: 0917 305 8961
Email: info@internationalsps.com
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