Cleaning efforts in Queensland State Schools are to be ramped up in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister for Education, Grace Grace said schools would now be provided with additional resources to enable extra cleaning work to be carried out.
“In line with advice from all of Australia’s Chief Health Officers, schools across the nation remain open, but the role our hard-working cleaning staff play in helping to manage this public health issue is vital,” Ms Grace said.
“The health, wellbeing and safety of our staff and students are our highest priority throughout this crisis.”
She said the additional cleaning efforts would focus on “high-touch points” in schools and would be carried out throughout the day to ensure the risks of transmission were reduced.
“Schools should pay extra attention to health and hygiene measures including increasing the frequency of the cleaning of toilet facilities and providing additional soap and sanitiser,” Ms Grace said.
“We will continue to work with suppliers to ensure schools have access to adequate cleaning and hygiene supplies such as soap, sanitiser and disinfectant.”
She said schools had been asked to follow a number of protocols when cleaning, including using disposable micro-fibre cleaning cloths or washing and changing micro-fibre cloths daily; using a general cleaner and follow with a disinfectant; paying extra attention to high-touch point surfaces; and allowing rooms to be exposed to sunlight and be well-ventilated.
