This response outlines the current understanding of the possible routes of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (including airborne aerosol transmission) and possible responses that Building Services Engineers can adopt to reduce transmission risks in the built environment.

The current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to develop rapidly with relevant advice being updated regularly and an increasing body of research being published.  

Government, NHS and Public Health England websites, as well as those of the devolved administrations should be consulted for current policy across the UK.  

CIBSE is the UK member of REHVA, the European Federation of Heating and Ventilation Engineers. REHVA has developed a COVID-19 guidance webpage giving information and guidance and has developed a bibliography on how to operate and use building services to minimise the spread of the virus through HVAC or plumbing systems. The guidance was further updated on 3^rd April 2020 to reflect new knowledge and evidence becoming available. 

Current Public Health England guidance on infection control states that “The transmission of COVID-19 is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces. The predominant modes of transmission are assumed to be droplet and contact.” (See section 2.1 of the guide).  

Droplets will generally fall out of the airstream within a short distance (depending on airflow speed and direction), hence the guidance to remain 2m apart. However, these may evaporate, reducing in size and mass and travel further in air streams, contaminating surfaces and increasing the risk of airborne transmission.

While airborne transmission is not thought to be a primary route of transmission, there is an emerging and growing body of evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 can also be spread through the air, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, and that ventilation provision in buildings should be reviewed in the light of this. For an explanation of airborne transmission, see the series of tweets by Prof. Lynsey Marr.

Emerging Findings 

Proving modes of transmission during an outbreak is difficult. However, multiple recent studies are showing evidence of indirect contact (which may be linked to airborne spread) and have also linked airflow patterns to infection cases.

This has been particularly the case in high occupancy areas, in spaces with little outdoor air, and when people generate a lot of aerosols (e.g. shouting and singing). Given the growing body of evidence suggesting airborne transmission may be a route of infection and knowledge of aerosol generation and transport it is prudent to ensure ventilation is operating appropriately to protect occupants.

The following measures, using outside air wherever possible, should help to reduce the risks from airborne transmission. 

Prevention 

The primary mechanisms for preventing the transmission of coronavirus remain regular, thorough handwashing using soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds, coupled with strict adherence to social distancing requirements and staying at home. Surfaces which may be contaminated also need regular cleaning following the protocols set out by PHE. 

Dilution of internal air should reduce any risk of potential airborne viral transmission by reducing exposure time to any airborne viral aerosols, and also reduce the chance for these aerosols to settle on surfaces. Evidence shows that virus can survive on some surfaces for at least 72 hours and hence any action to limit surface contamination is beneficial.

It is recommended that any ventilation or air conditioning system that normally runs with a recirculation mode should now be set up to run on full outside air where this is possible. 

In buildings with mechanical ventilation systems extended operation times are recommended. In demand control systems CO₂ set points should be set to 400ppm to increase the delivery of outside air. Ventilation should be kept on for longer, with lower ventilation rates when people are absent. It is not recommended to switch ventilation systems off in any buildings, even those temporarily vacated, but to operate them continuously at reduced speeds.

Recirculation of air between spaces, rooms or zones occupied by different people should be avoided. However, in the case of any systems serving a single space, partial recirculation of air within that space, such as through a local fan coil unit, is less of a concern. The reason is that the primary objective is to maximise the air exchange rate with outside air and to minimize the risk of any pockets of stagnant air.

If a local recirculation unit enhances air disturbance and hence helps reduce the risk of stagnant air then this should be considered when developing a strategy. Note that although these are relatively uncommon today, ceiling fans within a space can provide this function. 

On colder days consideration must be given to human behavioural responses. A ventilation system on full outside air which is not adequately heated may create discomfort draughts. This may lead to users seeking to turn the system off, or with naturally ventilated spaces users may close vents or windows. These actions will reduce the air exchange rate and dilution of any contaminants (and not just any viral contamination) and overcome the primary objective of the ventilation strategy. It is important that where users can intervene in the control of the ventilation that they are made aware of the benefit of these for reducing the circulation of infectious material.

Care should be taken with any ventilation grills that can be blocked, e.g. floor grilles for displacement ventilation, and occupants educated on the purpose and benefits of these. 

The potential benefit to public health at this time outweighs the reduction in energy efficiency caused by not recirculating air. Airborne contaminants may be minimised by proper and effective filtration and regular maintenance. Viral material that settles in ductwork will become unviable over time. In the event that some viral material entered ventilation and air-conditioning systems prior to buildings being vacated due to the current restrictions, it is extremely unlikely that that material will pose any risk when those buildings are re-occupied.

Where cleaning or planned maintenance of ventilation systems is required, such as in catering premises, it should be undertaken in line with agreed industry guidance, including that relating to site operations under social distancing requirements. Appropriate PPE should be worn and all materials, including old filters, should be carefully bagged and disposed of safely. Given the requirement for many business premises to close for the immediate future, there is unlikely to be a requirement to undertake work on their ventilation or air conditioning systems at this time.

In poorly ventilated spaces with a high occupancy and where it is difficult to increase ventilation rates it may be appropriate to consider using air cleaning and disinfection devices. The most appropriate devices are likely to be local HEPA filtration units or those that use germicidal UV (GUV) radiation. GUV devices use radiation in the UV-C spectrum and have been shown to inactivate coronaviruses, although there is not yet specific evidence of the efficacy of UV-C irradiation for SARS-CoV-2.

There are currently uncertainties about a variety of factors affecting UV performance including dosage, wavelength and exposure time. In addition, consideration will need to address the specific room and system configuration, air flow, distribution and humidity.

Any potential equipment will need to be properly tested, validated and quality assured and demonstrated to provide the specific irradiation properties it is designed to and nothing else. It is essential that appropriate safety interlocks are installed to ensure UV cleaning equipment is not operated when people may be exposed to the radiation.

They can be applied as an upper-room system or a stand alone consumer unit, but it is important that these are sized correctly for the room as many do not have the flow rate to be effective in larger spaces. In-duct UV-C is not recommended to control disease transmission unless it is to decontaminate air that is recirculated. Devices that emit ozone or other potentially hazardous by-products should not be used in occupied spaces.  Further guidance on air cleaning and disinfection is given in CIBSE guide A.

Further Guidance 

CIBSE TM40 Health and Wellbeing in Building Services provides guidance on best practice design and operation of buildings to support health, comfort and cognitive performance. Key aspects covered include air and water quality and the environment around us: light, acoustics, thermal and humidity conditions, and electromagnetic fields. The health and comfort impact of each of these environmental factors is summarised to provide a background for informed decisions.

The April 2020 issue of CIBSE Journal carries news and opinion on COVID 19, and there is a CIBSE Journal podcast which addresses the issues in further detail. 

The REHVA COVID-19 guidance webpage provides further information and guidance and a bibliography on how to operate and use building services to minimise the spread of the virus through HVAC or plumbing systems.

References

The following references inform the emerging view that aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, whether through direct respiratory droplet transfer or fomite generation, may in fact be a more important exposure transmission pathway than previously considered. Many are still undergoing peer-review, but they demonstrate the current thinking based on emerging findings.

Fears et al, Comparative dynamic aerosol efficiencies of three emergent coronaviruses and the unusual persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol suspensions https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.13.20063784v1.full.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.13.20063784
PREPRINT posted 18th April 2020 
 
van Doremalen, N et al Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1.  New England Journal of Medicine 2020 doi 10.1056/NEJMc2004973 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2004973 
This letter was published on March 17, 2020, at NEJM.org.
 
Fineberg: Rapid Expert Consultation on the Possibility of Bioaerosol Spread of SARS-CoV-2 for the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 1, 2020) (2020) https://www.nap.edu/read/25769/chapter/1 
Letter in response to the consultation.
 
Lidia Morawska, Junji Cao, Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: The world should face the reality, Environment International, Volume 139,2020,105730, 
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105730. 
This is a preprint of a paper for publication in the June issue

Yuguo Li et al : Evidence for probable aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a poorly ventilated restaurant https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.16.20067728v1.full.pdf Preprint posted 22 April 2020

The Chartered Institution of
Building Services Engineers  (CIBSE)
Registered as a Charity in England No. 278104

Air conditioning and ventilation during the coronavirus outbreak:
Received in Septemeber 2020

This guidance is based on the latest information and may be updated as and when new information becomes available.

General ventilation

Employers must, by law, ensure an adequate supply of fresh air in the workplace and this has not changed.

Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus on improving general ventilation, preferably through fresh air or mechanical systems.

Where possible, consider ways to maintain and increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors (unless fire doors).

Also consider if you can improve the circulation of outside air and prevent pockets of stagnant air in occupied spaces. You can do this by using ceiling fans or desk fans for example, provided good ventilation is maintained.

The risk of transmission through the use of ceiling and desk fans is extremely low providing there is good ventilation in the area it is being used, preferably provided by fresh air.

Air conditioning

The risk of air conditioning spreading coronaviru s (COVID-19) in the workplace is extremely low as long as there is an adequate supply of fresh air and ventilation.

You can continue using most types of air conditioning system as normal. But, if you use a centralised ventilations system that removes and circulates air to different rooms it is recommended that you turn off recirculation and use a fresh air supply.

You do not need to adjust air conditioning systems that mix some of the extracted air with fresh air and return it to the room as this increases the fresh air ventilation rate. Also, you do not need to adjust systems in individual rooms or portable units as these operate on 100% recirculation. You should still however maintain a good supply of fresh air ventilation in the room.

If you’re unsure, ask the advice of your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer or adviser.

Ventilation

General ventilation

• All workplaces need an adequate supply of fresh air
• This can be natural ventilation, from doors, windows etc or controlled, where air is supplied and/or removed by a powered fan
• If you work in an office or shop, natural ventilation will normally be enough to control dusts and vapours from cleaning materials etc
• Sometimes planned, powered general ventilation is an integral part of a set of control measures, eg the welding of large fabrications in a workshop

Local exhaust ventilation

• Local exhaust ventilation (LEV), or extraction, is an engineering control solution to reduce exposures to dust, mist, fume, vapour or gas in a workplace
• Use a properly designed LEV system that will draw dust, fume, gases or vapour through a hood or booth away from the worker
• An extraction system should be easy for workers to use and enclose the process as much as possible
• It should effectively capture and contain the harmful substance before it is released into the working environment
• Air should be filtered and discharged to a safe place
• The system should be robust enough to withstand the process and work environment. It is important to maintain it and undertake tests to ensure it is working effectively

Things to avoid when applying LEV

Common errors in applying extraction are:

• the effectiveness of small hoods is usually overestimated – be realistic
• the hood is usually too far away from the process
• the hood doesn’t surround the process enough
• inadequate airflow
• failure to check that the extraction continues to work
• workers are not consulted, so they don’t understand the importance of extraction and do not use it properly  

Chloe Pavely decided the council’s closure of a toilet block near her cafe in Brixham, Devon, was a minor inconvenience.

So she adopted it and thanks to support from locals the toilet is still giving relief to passers-by at Fishcombe Cove.

‘Living the dream and that includes looking after the toilet block’

The toilet was one of three closed this year by Torbay Council which said it was spending £2m upgrading others in the area.

The BTA board has acknowledged this fantastic commitment and is considering awarding Chloe a special certificate of thanks and appreciation of the efforts that she is making to help residents and visitors to find much needed comfort and relief whilst enjoying Fishcombe Cove.

Airdri: paper – Microbiologist’s report

As an experienced microbiologist, I have been asked if I feel safe using a public washroom in the current coronavirus pandemic and how the virus could be transmitted in a washroom? The virus responsible for the pandemic has been named ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2’ (or SARS-CoV-2) and this causes the disease COVID-19.

The second question is easy to answer: Current informed opinion shows that SARS-CoV-2 is spread by droplet transmission, and also by contacting contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. UK Government, NHS, CDC and WHO sources all emphasize social distancing and the need for adequate handwashing as well as hand sanitation to prevent transmission. The risks of contracting COVID-19 should be no greater in a washroom than in any other communal space.

If washroom users have no obvious symptoms of COVID-19 there should be little risk of infection, however there is some debate about the release of SARS-CoV-2 by people before they show symptoms, so there is a possibility of being exposed to contaminated air and surfaces^[1]. However the risks are probably greater in the general workplace where coughing and sneezing (and even speaking^[2]) can release airborne SARS-CoV-2 which can survive up to 15 minutes in droplets and aerosols in air ^[3]. With droplet transmission respiratory droplets are generally large enough (> 100 microns in diameter) to fall to the floor rapidly and within 2 meters of the person who is coughing or sneezing.^[4] These droplets should adhere to surfaces and the floor as they are comprised of mucus – reducing the risk of transmission. Droplet transmission of coronaviruses by washroom activities is also unlikely as the air is constantly changed, typically 8 – 12 times per hour,^[5,6] which will remove droplets as will ‘natural’ ventilation due to opening and closing doors. Many smaller washrooms are also fitted with ‘air purifiers’ to control odours and remove microbial contaminants. Previous (pre-pandemic) studies on the spread of droplets containing faecal bacteria from flushing toilets, operating hand dryers and handwashing have detected faecal bacteria in the air and on surfaces, with Escherichia coli, Streptococcus and Salmonella bacteria being found in public washrooms, and pathogenic Clostridium difficile and MRSA detected in hospital washrooms and toilets.^[7,8,9] SARS–CoV-19 has been reported in faeces^[10] however there are no reports of transmission via this route.

One notable feature of this research has been the long-standing debate about the relative advantages (or otherwise) of hand dryers over paper towels and their role in the transmission of pathogens. Much of the research is related to hospital usage of hand dryers, and it is generally accepted that they should not be used in clinical areas due to the noise rather than any published epidemiological evidence to show that they are unsafe.

This debate is fueled by the sales of paper towels and hand dryers in the washroom sector: market research indicates that sales of multi-fold paper towels will reach $4bn this year while sales of hand dryers will reach $856m, having grown 12% every year since 2014. The paper towel manufacturers, supported by some biased scientific literature and scaremongering in the public press, report that hand dryers are unhygienic and contribute to the spread of pathogenic bacteria and viruses in the washroom.

In response, the hand dryer industry reports that both paper towels and their dispensers can harbour significant amounts of pathogenic bacteria and viruses, that used towels cannot be recycled and they have a negative environmental impact. ^[11,12] Potentially pathogenic microbes are spread in the washroom by the users not washing and drying their hands correctly and via the HVAC system supplying contaminated air from other rooms in the building.^[13] In a small (50 m³) washroom, a single operation of a typical hand dryer would only disturb 2-3% of the volume of air in a single operation and is unlikely to contribute to the spread of microbes.

The reality is that there is no real difference between paper towels and hand dryers when it comes to cleanliness.^[11]

In the light of available information about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 there are two key facts which emerge and warrant attention:

The first, particularly in the present pandemic, is the importance of hand-washing. Most of the hygiene problems arising in washrooms to date have been due to inadequate hand washing. Pre-pandemic observations have shown that nearly 95% of adults did not wash long enough to thoroughly clean bacteria and viruses from their hands.^[14]
Furthermore, one UK study reported that:
99% of people visiting a public washroom said they had washed their hands after going to the toilet however, recording devices showed that only 32 percent of men and 64 percent of women actually had.^[14] Washing is the key to the removal of bacteria and viruses, and organizations such as the WHO, CDC and DHSS detail the correct way to do it. ^[15,16,17] 

The second is the importance of drying hands properly. In several studies people spent, on average, just 22.5 seconds drying their hands and 45% of washroom users wiped their hands on their clothing to finish drying.^[18] An observational study in 2006 timed 5000 hand drying events at a motorway service station and noted that men used the warm air hand dryers for an average of 20 seconds, whilst women used them for just 16 seconds. These reported mean drying times are substantially below 30 seconds, so it can only be concluded that most users of warm air hand dryers do not achieve full drying of their hands. ^[19]

The World Health Organization has stated that:

“To protect yourself against the new coronavirus, you should frequently clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Once your hands are cleaned, you should dry them thoroughly by using paper towels or a warm air hand dryer.” ^[20]

The key message for hand hygiene in washrooms is:

1.       ensure the hands are correctly washed,

2.       ensure hands are thoroughly dried (10 seconds of drying with either paper towels or jet air dryers; or up to 40 seconds using a warm air hand dryer ^[21]),

3.        do not touch any surfaces after drying hands, and if you do

4.       use a hand sanitizer when outside the washroom.

In answer to my first question – “would I feel safe using a public washroom in the current pandemic?” is “yes, it is now probably safer than I did in pre-pandemic days. If people wash their hands correctly, and then dry using either hand towels or hand dryers according to WHO guidelines transient micro-organisms derived from contact will be washed off (soap has been shown to denature SARS-CoV-2),: and any aerosol generated from clean hands by hand dryers will not transmit pathogenic  bacteria or viruses into the washroom”.

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND WEBSITES

[1]  https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.23.20039446v2

[2]  https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-important-speech-transmitting-coronavirus.html

[3]  https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMc2004973

[4]  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2009.00626.x

[5]  https://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/l24.pdf

[6]  http://www.solutionsforair.com/resources/rulesofthumb/restroom.aspx

[7]  https://www.initial.com/assets/content/files/journey-of-the-germ-white-paper.pdf

[8]https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3272186/this-is-how-many-germs-are-lurking-in-your-bathroom-and-youll-be-horrified-at-the-dirtiest-spot/

[9]  https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Microbiology_of_Hospital_Washrooms

[10] https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-covid-19-spread-through-feces.html?

[11]  https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/apr/25/hand-dryers-paper-towels-hygiene-dyson-airblade

[12]https://www.intelligenthanddryers.com/blog/hand-dryers-are-they-hygienic

[13] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5881072/

[14]https://www.transplumb.com/news-archive/news-2017/16-03-17-srticle-proper-handwashing-and-drying

[15]  https://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/

[16] https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

[17]https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/

[18]    http://info.debgroup.com/blog/bid/297155/Paper-Towels-or-Hot-Air-Dryers-Which-is-Better-Why

[19] https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04838.x

[20] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8004761/Hand-dryers-wont-kill-coronavirus-World-Health-Organization-debunk-10-biggest-myths.html

[21] http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/06June/Pages/Paper-towels-may-be-more-hygienic-than-hand-dryers.aspx

Dr. David L. Webber 10th April 2020

Related products: NEW Air Purification Units

Odours are created by bacteria, viruses, mould, fungi and volatile organic compounds in the air and on surfaces. It is these odours that generate the perception of poor washroom hygiene. Tests carried out at Porton Down have proved that the Airdri Air Purifier kills 98.11% of all airborne and surface bacteria and viruses.

By killing harmful airborne and surface viruses and bacteria, the Airdri Thermal U/V Washroom Air Purifier eliminates odours from the washroom reassuring users that the washroom is clean. Regular cleaning and the use of disinfectants and masking agents cannot control the spread of micro-organisms however the Air Purifier can provide 24/7 infection and odour control by sanitising the air and all exposed surfaces.

• Completely silent
• Eliminates odours and mould
• Improves air quality
• Suitable for areas of continuous occupation
• Ideal for care homes, dental surgeries, waiting rooms, hairdressing salons, café and other hospitality uses

Contact: Airdri Ltd,
Technology House, Oakfield Estate,
Eynsham, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX29 4AQ, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)1865 882330
Fax: +44 (0)1865 881647
Email: sales@airdri.com Website: www.airdri.com

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments may be suitable options to help control the spread of the virus, by cleaning and disinfecting a larger space or room.

Any use of these treatments for these purposes should form part of your COVID-19 risk assessment. Users must be competent and properly trained.

Select the correct treatment

If you choose to use fog, mist, vapour or UV treatments as a way of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, discuss your requirements with your manufacturers/suppliers (this may include fumigators), to help you decide if a product/system meets your needs. The treatment you use will depend on:

• the size of the area to be treated, its shape and how easily it can be sealed off if delivering an airborne product
• whether there are hard or soft surfaces – soft furnishings may act as a ‘sink’ for the airborne chemicals and emit them for some time after treatment (it may be possible to remove items such as sofas before treatment)
• the type of business you have – some areas may be better suited to UV surface treatments than airborne chemicals or vice-versa
  
  

Fog, mist, vapour method

If using the fog, mist, vapour method you will need to ensure the correct concentration of the active chemical is used, this means there is enough for it to work properly, but not so much as to leave a residue which may remain at unsafe levels for some time after treatment ends. There are different types of source disinfectants that can be applied as a fog, mist or vapour treatment. Some are liquid disinfectants used to create a fog, mist or vapour, such as hydrogen peroxide, others are generated from gases, for example ozone from air. Seek advice on what is appropriate to the environment that requires treatment.

UV method

An advantage of UV over disinfectants applied as a fog, mist or vapour is that no chemical residue is left behind. Rooms with complex configurations/interior designs may not be suitable for UV treatments due to the limitations of shadowing effects, unless multiple systems can be deployed. Similarly, very small spaces, such as small sanitary areas, may not be suitable for treatment via UV carousel as they need to be a minimum distance from walls etc to be deployed safely. Some disinfectant technologies are scalable so are typically more flexible in this respect.

Avoiding harm

Disinfectants applied as a fog, mist or vapour may reach harmful levels during delivery and UV systems may cause eye/skin damage if people enter an area undergoing treatment. Discuss with suppliers what safety features they can provide to prevent inadvertent access to a room during treatment. For example, safety sensors, simply locking rooms during treatment if feasible, or safety signage as part of a safe system of work.

Do not spray people with disinfectants

Spraying of individuals with disinfectants (such as in a tunnel, cabinet, or chamber) is not recommended under any circumstances. This practice could be physically and psychologically harmful and would not reduce an infected person’s ability to spread the virus through droplets or contact. Even if someone who is infected with COVID-19 goes through a disinfection tunnel or chamber, as soon as they start speaking, coughing or sneezing they can still spread the virus.

Do not disinfect large outdoor spaces

In outdoor spaces, large-scale spraying or disinfecting in areas such as streets or open marketplaces for the COVID-19 virus or other pathogens is not recommended. Streets and pavements are not considered as routes of infection for COVID-19. Spraying disinfectants, even outdoors, can be dangerous to people’s health and cause eye, respiratory or skin irritation or damage.

Supply and manufacture of disinfectants

The disinfectant applied as a fog, mist or vapour treatment must comply with the Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR). This includes the generation of ozone or free radicals. Please note the use of UV to disinfect is not covered by the BPR. Under BPR it is the disinfectant, or the chemical used to generate the disinfectant, added to the machine, that is the biocidal product. Please note that the machine itself is not covered by BPR. Suppliers of fog, mist or vapour units/machines should ensure that any disinfectant products they supply or recommend using with the unit/machine comply with BPR.

HSE has published separate guidance on the regulatory requirements for surface disinfectant products used, manufactured and supplied during the outbreak, which applies to disinfectant products applied via fog/mist/vapour units/machines.

Manufacturers of disinfectant products are responsible for ensuring that their products are suitably effective, including meeting any necessary testing standards. They are also responsible for providing information and instructions for the user on the product label.

The law on chemicals

Ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you are using the product safely and effectively. Where units/machines are used in a workplace, under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) employers must ensure substances which may be harmful to people’s health from their work activities are identified and assessed; and processes are put in place to eliminate or control risks.

COSHH also requires employers to provide information, instruction and training for all their employees who use hazardous substances such as disinfectants in their work, including the appropriate precautions and actions employees must take to safeguard both themselves and others in the workplace.

Sealing off rooms

Rooms treated by UV or disinfectants applied as fog, mist or vapour should be empty and sealed off to avoid risk of human exposure to the potentially harmful treatments. Disinfectants may reach harmful levels during delivery and UV systems may cause eye/skin damage if people enter an area undergoing treatment. You may also consider safety sensors that can shut off UV systems if a room is inadvertently entered during treatment.

Rooms that are very difficult to seal may not be suitable for delivering airborne chemicals.

Social distancing means keeping people apart to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Where possible you should keep people 2m apart. If this is not viable, keeping 1m apart with risk mitigation is acceptable.

In the UK some rules such as social distancing may be different in each of the devolved nations. However, HSE regulates in all of these countries. You should check the public health guidance for the country you are in:

• Wales
• England
• Scotland

You must ensure that workers and other people visiting your workplace understand and comply with the measures you put in place.

Social distancing should form part of your business’s risk assessment and is one of the steps needed to make your workplace COVID-secure.

The gov.uk guides on working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) explain the control measures that different types of business should consider. These cover construction, factories, offices, vehicle use and other types of work. The guides apply to workplaces in England.

The following guidance sets out the main control measures and additional measures where social distancing is not possible:

• Common areas (includes break areas, bathrooms, toilets, meeting rooms and accommodation)
• Workstations
• Arriving and leaving work
• Movement around buildings and worksites
• Where 2m social distancing is not possible
• Using vehicles
• Emergencies, security and other incidents

Common areas (includes break areas, bathrooms, toilets, meeting rooms and accommodation)

Common areas are used by many people. The potential for spread of coronavirus is considered to be higher in these areas if proper controls are not in place.

Identify and review the common areas within your workplace including:

• restrooms
• kitchens
• tea points
• changing facilities
• lifts
• meeting rooms
• smoking areas
• canteens
• toilets
• showers
• reception areas
• accommodation

Also consider pinch points in your premises such as narrow corridors, staircases, doorways and storage areas.

You may need to put in place a combination of control measures to keep people safe.

General control measures

Consider putting the following control measures in place for common areas:

• Limit the number of people at any one time using any areas that may become congested.
• Use floor markings to maintain social distancing.
• Keep surfaces clear so that cleaning can be carried out more effectively.
• Identify objects that may be touched more frequently, such as kettles, cooking equipment, phones, computers or tables and make sure that they are frequently cleaned.
• Try to maximise ventilation.
• Make sure that your workforce is clear on the rules when using common areas.
• The areas should be regularly cleaned in line with your cleaning plan.
• Minimise contact between people, using barriers or screens.
• Provide hand-washing facilities or hand sanitiser near to frequently used areas.
• Display signs reminding people to socially distance, wash hands and not touch their faces.
• Work with landlords and other tenants in multi-tenant sites or buildings to ensure consistency across areas such as receptions and staircases.

Guidance on cleaning, hygiene and hand sanitiser.

Break areas

Employers must make sure all workers, including those visiting your premises for work, have somewhere to rest and eat and should also provide facilities to heat food or water for hot drinks. Find out more about having the right workplace facilities.

Consider these control measures:

• Ensure that workers understand the need to maintain social distancing and good hand hygiene before entering any areas where food is consumed.
• If workers need to leave the site at break times remind them to maintain social distancing while off-site.
• If canteens are used, consider if food, cutlery etc can be delivered to tables. Where canteens need to serve food reconfigure seating and tables to maintain spacing and reduce face-to-face interactions. Mark the floor in case furniture is accidentally moved.
• Stagger or extend break times to limit the numbers of people using the facilities.
• Create additional break areas where required such as in unused rooms. It may be possible to create outside break areas where it is safe to do so.

Bathrooms, toilets and washbasins (welfare facilities)

You have a legal duty to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities that are easy and safe to access. This applies to any workers (including those not employed or contracted to you), and visiting workers who are not normally on your premises. The legal responsibility to provide access to these facilities lies with whoever controls the premises.

Refusing access for any reason, including as an infection control measure, is against the law. It is vital that people can wash their hands regularly, so not allowing access to welfare facilities may increase the risk of COVID-19 spreading.

When completing your COVID-19 risk assessment, review the provisions you have to make sure they allow people (including visiting workers) to social distance, use the toilets and wash hands frequently. Consider whether you need to provide any additional washing facilities.

To protect people when using existing toilet and washing facilities consider the following:

• Identify all surfaces that require additional cleaning in bathrooms and toilets.
• Taking some static facilities out of use where they are less than 2m apart. If this includes toilet facilities such as urinals you should ensure that you still have a sufficient number of toilets in your workplace.
• Put markings on floors to show people the right distances or where to stand.
• Put in place systems such as ‘one in, one out’ if it isn’t possible to maintain social distancing.
• Make sure you provide running water and soap to enable people to clean their hands properly.
• Provide hand drying facilities – paper towels or hand dryers.
• Empty bins frequently to safely dispose of waste. Where possible have open-topped bins or foot operated lids.
• Using signs and posters to increase awareness of good handwashing technique.
• Decide how and when handwashing facilities will be cleaned and when bins will be emptied.
• Decide who will replenish soap, paper towels and hand sanitiser.

Guidance on cleaning, hygiene and hand sanitiser.

Additional handwashing facilities

When completing your COVID-19 risk assessment, consider if you need to provide additional handwashing facilities so that people can wash their hands frequently.

Consider:

• where people work
• how much contact they have with others
• the frequency they should wash their hands as a result

This will also help you to decide if and where you need to provide additional washing facilities.

If you cannot provide additional handwashing facilities, you may need to provide hand sanitiser instead in some circumstances.

When you complete your risk assessment, think about:

• providing handwashing facilities at entry and exit points so people can wash their hands when they arrive and leave work – if this is not possible, provide hand sanitiser
• where extra handwashing facilities need to be to allow people to wash their hands frequently
• making sure your handwashing facilities have running water, soap and paper towels or hand dryers
• identifying where extra hand sanitiser points are needed in addition to washing facilities

Meeting rooms

Consider the following measures:

• Use remote working tools to avoid in-person meetings.
• That only absolutely necessary participants should physically attend meetings and should social distance throughout.
• Avoid sharing pens, documents and other objects.
• Provide hand sanitiser in meeting rooms.
• Hold meetings outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible.
• For areas where regular meetings take place, using floor markings to help people maintain social distancing.

Accommodation

Employers who provide accommodation for their workers should consider the following:

• Identify measures to keep workers safe while they are staying in accommodation and working, in your risk assessment.
• Minimise numbers of people living in shared accommodation.
• Treat each accommodation living unit (eg caravan) as a ‘household’.
• How you will ensure if one person in the ‘household’ shows symptoms that all will self-isolate in line with the guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.
• Workers should not live or stay in more than one ‘household’.
• Keep people who live in the same household together in the same work group.
• Try not to mix households while they are working.
• Try to keep each household socially distanced from other households.
• Check workers health before they start work each day.
• If a worker develops symptoms of coronavirus while working they should return to their household. The individual, and anyone else highlighted by government guidance should then follow the government guidelines on isolation.
• Cleaning regimes to ensure accommodation units stay clean.
• Cleaning regimes for shared communal areas. The employer is responsible for making sure that communal areas are properly and regularly cleaned.
• Carryout statutory checks such as landlord gas safety checks as required.
• Cleaning and maintenance regimes for toilets and showers.
• Provide fire safety precautions as normal. 

Workstations

Workstations are areas where workers routinely or regularly work and can include:

• desks or tables in the workplace
• production or processing lines
• areas by machinery that workers need to operate
• desks within workers homes if they are working at home
• vehicles

Consider the following:

• Look at how you can organise workstations to allow people to meet social distancing rules.
• Review layouts and processes to allow people to work 2m apart from each other where possible.
• Use floor tape or paint to mark areas.
• Manage occupancy levels.
• Avoid any sharing of workstations, including hot desking where possible.
• Limit the number of people having to share a workstation to the absolute minimum.
• Where workstations must be shared, try to keep the same set of people using them.
• Make sure that workstations are cleared at the end of the day or shift so that they can be properly cleaned.
• Ensure that all workstations are regularly cleaned in accordance with your cleaning plan.

Where it’s not possible to keep workstations 2m apart, consider these additional control measures.

Guidance on cleaning, hygiene and hand sanitiser.

Arriving and leaving work

Consider these control measures for when people are arriving or leaving work:

• Take precautions to limit the chances of anyone with coronavirus entering your premises, for example, display signs asking people not to enter your workplace if they have symptoms of coronavirus.
• Limit the number of people entering your workplace, or parts of your workplace, to avoid overcrowding. Think about if you can you arrange partial working from home for some staff.
• Stagger arrival and departure times to reduce crowding into and out of the workplace, taking account of the impact on those with protected characteristics.
• Provide additional parking or facilities such as bike racks to help people walk, run, or cycle to work where possible.
• Provide more entry points to reduce congestion.
• Provide more storage for workers for clothes and bags. Encourage storage of personal items and clothing in personal storage spaces, for example lockers during shifts.
• Use markings and introduce one-way flow at entry and exit points.
• Provide handwashing facilities at entry and exit points, or hand sanitiser where handwashing is not possible. Make sure you provide these facilities for anyone entering your workplace.
• Where possible, avoid using touch-based security devices such as keypads. If you need to use them, make sure they’re cleaned regularly.
• Where possible, introduce shift working to limit the number of people in the workplace at any one time. This may also reduce the burden on public transport if your employees use it to travel to work.
• Where possible, introduce suitable barriers or screens where people regularly interact, such as service desks or reception areas. If used, ensure they are cleaned and disinfected in line with your cleaning procedures.
• Put in place procedures for dealing with deliveries and visitors. Allocate time slots for customers.
• Put in place measures to keep delivery drivers safe, this includes allowing delivery drivers to use welfare facilities.

Guidance on cleaning, hygiene and hand sanitiser.

Movement around buildings and worksites

Consider these control measures when people are moving around buildings or worksites:

• Use floor markings to mark out social distancing. Focus particularly on the most crowded areas, for example where queues form, entry points to buildings, toilets and communal break areas. Additional control measures may be needed for areas at higher risk of overcrowding, such as common areas.
• Use any unused spaces to allow people to spread out and comply with social distancing rules.
• Reduce movement by discouraging non-essential trips within buildings and sites, for example restricting access to some areas, encouraging use of radios or telephones or other electronic devices, where permitted, and cleaning them between use.
• Restrict access between different areas of a building or site.
• Reduce job and location rotation.
• Introduce more one-way flow through buildings.
• Reduce maximum occupancy for lifts. Provide hand sanitiser for the operation of lifts. Encouraging use of stairs wherever possible.
• Make sure that people with disabilities are able to access lifts.
• Manage the use of high-traffic common areas including corridors, lifts turnstiles and walkways.
• Put in place measures to remind staff and visitors to follow social distancing.

Where 2m social distancing is not possible

Consider these additional control measures where 2m social distancing is not possible:

• Consider if the activity needs to continue or if it can stop.
• Keep the number of people working who cannot social distance to a minimum.
• Reduce the number of people in close proximity in the work area.
• Limit the movement of people around the site. Consider if workers stay in one place, or at one workstation when working.
• Limit the amount of different equipment or surfaces that people need to touch.
• Assign workers to teams which then socially distance from other teams. Keep workers in the same teams as far as possible to limit social interaction. Keep teams as small as possible. If a team member becomes ill with symptoms of coronavirus, they and the rest of the team should follow the UK government guidance on self-isolation.
• Use screens between people to create a physical barrier. You should keep the screens clean.
• Organise the space so that people are side-by-side or facing away from each other rather than face-to-face.
• Mark the floor of areas such as lifts to show where people should stand and what direction they should face.

Guidance on cleaning, hygiene and hand sanitiser.

Using vehicles

On gov.uk there is guidance for people who work in or from vehicles setting out control measures to help protect workers.

Consider the following control measures:

• If travel in vehicles is needed for the business to continue to operate.
• Ensure those who are travelling are necessary for the work to be carried out.
• Limit passengers in corporate vehicles such as work minibuses. This could include leaving seats empty.
• Consider if social distancing measures can be implemented in the vehicle.
• Avoid multi-occupancy vehicles where safe to do so.
• Where multi-occupancy vehicles are used, people should social distance where possible through suitable seating arrangements and where necessary, use of additional transport. Keep the journey as short as possible.
• Where more than one person is travelling and they need an overnight stop, plan ahead to ensure there is suitable accommodation secured to ensure social distancing.
• Consider if people who need to travel in vehicles can be kept in the same teams.
• Consider if vehicle windows can be kept open.
• Ensure that people practice good hygiene before and after using the vehicle. Provide hand sanitiser where necessary.
• Vehicles should not be shared between different users if possible.
• Remind workers to travel alone to and from work where possible, either in their own transport, by walking, or cycle if it is safe to do so.
• Ensure vehicles are cleaned regularly, in particular between different users. Clean commonly touched areas in vehicles including:
  • handles (inside and out)
  • steering wheel and starter button
  • centre touchscreen and stereo
  • handbrake and gearstick
  • keys and key fob
  • indicators and wiper stalks
  • windows, mirrors and mirror switches, seat adjusters any other controls

Where it’s not possible for people to social distance in a vehicle, consider additional measures such as:

• using physical screening, as long as this does not compromise safety, for example by reducing visibility
• sitting side-by-side not face-to-face
• using a fixed pairing system if people have to work in close proximity

Drivers’ welfare at delivery and collection sites during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Emergencies, security and other incidents

Consider the following:

• Reviewing your incident, first aid and emergency procedures to ensure people can social distance as far as possible.
• Considering the security implications of any changes you intend to make to your operations and practices in response to the coronavirus outbreak as any revisions may present new or altered security risks.
• For organisations who conduct physical searches of people, considering how to ensure safety of those conducting searches while maintaining security standards.

Minister Simon Clarke MP, from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government presents the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Lavatories) Bill 2019-2021 to the House of Commons today. The Bill received unanimous approval, for adoption, by the ministers present. When brought into legislation it will effectively remove the levy of (NDR) Rates from all “stand-alone” public toilets in England and Wales. The devolved administrations will be expected to adopt the new Act.

The Hansard Transcript of the proceedings can be read in full by following this LINK:

https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-07-16/debates/3AE310E3-BBE8-43E7-80E3-966E083BF39C/Non-DomesticRating(PublicLavatories)Bill

The BTA is delighted to annoounce the long awaited progress of the NDR Bill to remove the rates levy from all “stand-alone” public toilets. Our founder and current President Richard Chisnell took up this baton in 2012 and it has been an arduous journey through the years to get to this point. In 2015 the BTA board agreed to make this relief a priority and Roger Berry took the lead in speaking to likeminded organisations and political colleagues to try and move the proposal forward.
October 2018 the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Philip Hammond announced, during his budget speech, in Parliament that he was introducing the NDR Public Lavatories Bill and following the Bill passsing through the House of Lords and the House of Commons we’re almost there.

The Bill will now go forward immediately after the summer recess of Parliament and be laid before the House of Lords for their final approval before hopefully progressing to Royal Assent to become an Act of Parliament and enter into our Primary Legislation.

Local Authorities will be able to claim a FULL rates allowance relief on all Publicly Accessible Toilets under either their or even private control and use the monies saved to upgrade their services and provision of existing facilities. The minister thanked a number of organisations including the BTA, NALC and RSPH for their support and help in campaigning for this change in future legislation.

Thangam Debbonaire, the Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, lead those ministers present in congratulating Mr Clarke for presenting the Bill and the government for strongly supporting its immediate adoption – but suggested that there were still further enhancements called for. She agreed that this was a great first small but important step to retaining and restoring these essential buildings – but asked if government could look at the numbers of toilets lost over previous years and perhaps use some Covid emergency funding to redress the loss. Many public buildings, such as libraries, museums ansd civic centres were excluded under this pending legislation and she again asked if consideration might be given to how these additional local amenieties could be included, at some future juncture.

The Minister also proposed that, due to the keen support from many ministers and colleagues, that a working group should be established to look at the wider range of issue around provision of Public Toilets for all citizens, especially those with severe medical, emotional and physical conditions who relied daily on finding urgent relief when moving away from home. Ministers highlighted the plight of all those persons working away from their bases, lorry, coach, bus and taxi drivers and alos those in emergency services and social care who rely on these essential facilities. The Minister kindly thanked the BTA for providing some information and guidance on the essential and vital role played by publicly accessible toilets throughout society and the nation.

With the increased demands being placed upon these vital provisions following the easement of lockdown it is now critical that we see immediate investment in upgrading and reopening these frontline services. As we try to rebuild our local economies and invite tourism back to our towns and villages were have to invest time, money and expertise in getting our publicly accessible toilets hygienically cleaned and safe for use.

Both Minsters praised the national Changing Places programme and the work that BTA have been committed to with Muscular Dystrophy UK and Pamis in Scotland; in creating the CP Map and identifying potential new sites. Substantial funding of £30million has already been agreed to expand the reach of this programme and to greatly increase the number of sites where these specialised rooms can be best utilised.

The British Toilet Association wishes to thank all those individuals, groups and organisations who have worked closely with ourselves and our member organisations over the years to help bring about this relief legislation to local authorities.
We offer our special thanks to everyone who continues to fight tirelessly for the national retention of publicly accessible toilets and the future upgrading of our “away-from-home” toilets and the increasing standards of hygiene and provision — for ALL USERS.

CHANGING PLACES CAMPAIGN

The BTA Director and the Board are fully committed to working with our colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, Muscular Dystrophy and Pamis to support, maintain and expand the Changing Places Campaign, the CP Mapping System and the continued natonal drive for NEW facilities.

Since the arrival of this pandemic it has become extremely clear that each and everyone of us has to adhere to an increased level of personal hygiene. Regular hand washing and the repeated use of anti-bacterial wipes on the surfaces we come into contact with are essential precautions to avoid the spread of this deadly threat.

As the Lockdown eases and we venture back into society or return to our places of work we face the added strain of cross contamination and potential transmission of this virus to colleagues and friends. So we are looking for guidance from the devolved administrations to help us all act and behave in a responsible way to avoid touching contaminated surfaces or leaving traces behind that could be harmful to others.

Publicly Accessible Toilets are a vital piece of our everyday lives and these essential facilities help us to stay comfortable and relieved when we travel away from our homes or places of residence. The government has clearly advised us all to WASH your HANDS reguarly and thoroughly for a least 20 seconds after coming in contact with any area or surface that might host the virus. So PC’s are an absolutely vital piece of infrastructure in our fight against Covid19 and these units must be opened and maintained to the highest levels of hygiene and cleanliness to serve the rising needs.

Unfortunately, many public and retail units remain closed dur to the severe lack of CLEAR & CONCISE guidance from government and the fear of the providers and sppliers that they are effectively combating the viral threat.

NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED

In the last fe days we have received a set of guidance outlines from the English, Scottish and Welsh governments towards getting Public Toilets reopened and fit for public use. The LINKS below will take you directly to this advice and should allow you to make most of the daily routines and decisions around opening these essential facilities.

However, please remember that Covid19 only arrived some 3 5 months ago and much is still unknown about the DWELL times and EFFECTIVENESS of many substances and procedures in removing or killing this viral threat. We have offered our thoughts and understandings below – but you mmust be guided by the governments direct Coronavirus briefings and the special Scientific Advisors who are working tirelessly on your behalf to find the most effective controls and remedial work to attack and neutralise all aspects of this threat to our very existance.

Guidance on Opening Pubic Toilets
from Simon Clarke MP Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government
and Rebecca Pow MP Minister for the Environment

Public toilets, portable toilets and toilets inside premises should be kept open and carefully managed to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Steps that will usually be needed:

• Using signs and posters to build awareness of good handwashing technique, the need to increase handwashing frequency and to avoid touching your face, and to cough or sneeze into a tissue which is binned safely, or into your arm if a tissue is not available.
• Consider the use of social distancing marking in areas where queues normally form, and the adoption of a limited entry approach, with one in, one out (whilst avoiding the creation of additional bottlenecks).
• To enable good hand hygiene consider making hand sanitiser available on entry to toilets where safe and practical, and ensure suitable handwashing facilities including running water and liquid soap and suitable options for drying (either paper towels or hand driers) are available.
• Setting clear use and cleaning guidance for toilets, with increased frequency of cleaning in line with usage. Use normal cleaning products, paying attention to frequently hand touched surfaces, and consider use of disposable cloths or paper roll to clean all hard surfaces.
• Keep the facilities well ventilated, for example by fixing doors open where appropriate.
• Special care should be taken for cleaning of portable toilets and larger toilet blocks.
• Putting up a visible cleaning schedule can keep it up to date and visible.
• Providing more waste facilities and more frequent rubbish collection.

The above shows the complete lack of understanding of the myriad of issues surrounding the reopening of public toilets and the problems and fear that these providers are facing in allowing large numbers of persons into their premises to use these facilities. They give no guidance to cleaning regimes or materials, chemicals, processes or clinicaL RESEACH that would provide reasonable guidance and understanding that the correct procedures were being observed and carried out.

We suggest that you read and digest the more concise guidance that is being proffered by the Scottish and Welsh governments which goes into a more clear description of processes – but may still lack the clinical details that many are seeking. The BTA guidance that follows tries to give some additional information on cleaning methodlogy and processes and offers advice that suppliers and providers might use to seek professional help from outside professional sources – such as HSE or Dept of Health or Public Health.

Additional Guidance on deep-cleaning is given from our colleagues at the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on the use of various mist, fogging and UV sysytems. All is contained within a further POST on this site or please follow the LINK directly to the HSE website,

https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/disinfecting-premises-during-coronavirus-outbreak.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_term=disinfecting-premises&utm_content=stakeholder-17-jul-20https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/disinfecting-premises-during-coronavirus-outbreak.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=coronavirus&utm_term=disinfecting-premises&utm_content=stakeholder-17-jul-20

Since the arrival of this pandemic it has become extremely clear that each and everyone of us has to adhere to an increased level of personal hygiene. Regular hand washing and the repeated use of anti-bacterial wipes on the surfaces we come into contact with are essential precautions to avoid the spread of this deadly threat.

As the Lockdown eases and we venture back into society or return to our places of work we face the added strain of cross contamination and potential transmission of this virus to colleagues and friends. So we are looking for guidance from the devolved administrations to help us all act and behave in a responsible way to avoid touching contaminated surfaces or leaving traces behind that could be harmful to others.

Publicly Accessible Toilets are a vital piece of our everyday lives and these essential facilities help us to stay comfortable and relieved when we travel away from our homes or places of residence. The government has clearly advised us all to WASH your HANDS reguarly and thoroughly for a least 20 seconds after coming in contact with any area or surface that might host the virus. So PC’s are an absolutely vital piece of infrastructure in our fight against Covid19 and these units must be opened and maintained to the highest levels of hygiene and cleanliness to serve the rising needs.

Unfortunately, many public and retail units remain closed dur to the severe lack of CLEAR & CONCISE guidance from government and the fear of the providers and sppliers that they are effectively combating the viral threat.

NEW GUIDANCE RELEASED

This guidance is primarily for owners and operators of toilets for public use in Wales

• Local Authorities, town councils and town/city centre managers/forums
• Town and Community Councils
• National Parks
• Third sector organisations
• Heritage and tourism sites
• Commercial or business premises where toilet access is provided to the public
• Hospitality sector (e.g. cafés, bars, restaurants)

Where sector specific guidance is also available it should be considered alongside this.

Purpose and scope of this guidance

The Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Wales) Regulations 2020 (as amended) have been made for the purpose of preventing, protecting against, controlling or providing a public health response to the spread of Coronavirus and contamination in Wales. The Regulations currently require certain premises and businesses to close, whilst imposing restrictions on certain businesses or services (including ‘public toilets’) allowing them to remain open providing that those responsible take all reasonable measures to ensure that specific physical distancing requirements are maintained. Persons responsible for work carried out on certain premises are also under a duty to take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between persons on the premises. Those subject to a requirement to take all reasonable measures must have regard to guidance from the Welsh Ministers about taking those measures. These Regulations are regularly reviewed in accordance with Regulation 3.

This guidance focuses on the safer management of toilets for public use in the context of the Coronavirus pandemic and in compliance with the Coronavirus Restrictions Regulations. It is intended to help the owners and operators of toilets for public use to plan for the safer management of toilets as the restrictions in Wales are lifted and to plan for the re-opening of toilets where they have been closed.
This guidance provides a framework for identifying the issues associated with the use of toilets for public use in light of the need for social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting to minimise the transmission of the virus.
This guidance sets out additional principles that owners and operators of toilets for public use will need to consider. It does not replace any existing health, hygiene, risk assessment or other requirements for the normal safe management of toilets for public use.

Responsibility in Wales for opening / managing toilets for public use rests with the toilet owner or operator. For some assets, the local authority may be the owner but responsibility for the operation and maintenance rests with some town or community councils under a lease agreement as part of asset transfer agreements.

Under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, there is a duty placed on local authorities to have a local toilet strategy and statutory guidance has been provided. Under part 8 of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017, local authorities may provide toilets in its area for public use.   

This guidance does not alter those duties and powers, it merely provides advice and principles owners / operators may want to consider.This publication has been prepared by the Welsh Government, developed with advice from technical experts and from local authorities. This guidance applies in Wales only and does not impose any legal obligations.

Public health is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For advice in other parts of the UK please see guidance prepared by the Northern Ireland Executive, the Scottish Government and, for England, the UK Government (Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government). We expect this document will be updated over time – this version is up to date as of 2 July 2020. You can check for updates on the Welsh Government website.
If you have any feedback regarding the content of this document and inform future guidance, please email saferplaces@gov.wales. This guidance is part of a wider set of documents produced by the Welsh Government about safer public places and related issues. All Welsh Government guidance can be found on the Welsh Government website.

What this guidance contains

The guidance contains principles and steps owners and operators of toilets for public use should consider in planning the reopening (where toilets have been closed) and management of toilets as safely as possible. It does not replace the need for owners and operators to carry out their own risk assessments or follow normal toilet cleaning and management practices.

Existing Public Health Wales and Welsh Government guidance covers the principles of how to manage toilets from a health and hygiene perspective, including the re-opening of schools and other educational settings, managing Safer Public Places and workplace guidance. What this guidance does is bring together those health and hygiene principles in one place, and also consider the issues particular to toilets for public use around public access and communications. See Further information for links to the related guidance.

The importance of re-opening toilet facilities

Toilet accessibility is a key factor in easing restrictions and restoring confidence, once it is safe to do so. Many publically accessible toilets have closed in the response to the pandemic, which has helped encourage people to stay local. Toilet access is essential for many people including the elderly, those classed as disabled, those who are pregnant, those with young children, or those with medical conditions. Consideration should be given to the equality implications of those with particular health needs who need to use the toilet more often. Equality Impact Assessments should be reviewed as part of the planning for re-opening toilets. A lack of toilets can result in anti-social behaviour.

As the coronavirus restrictions are lifted the increasing number of local people and tourists is likely to place pressure on services including toilets for public use. Toilets are currently in the ‘high priority but high anxiety’ area for the public – half will not visit an attraction at all if toilets are closed. Assurance of safety measures are hugely important in building confidence in their use, and toilet information is key for pre-visit communication.  Many people feel they cannot leave their homes for shopping or other day to day tasks if they do not know that a toilet is available.

The challenges of re-opening toilet facilities

Toilets are potentially a risk for transmission of the virus if not managed well. Toilets for public use vary hugely, from isolated rural facilities to small community facilities to large blocks in city centres. Some toilets for public use are located in hospitality / tourism and other public and commercial facilities etc. Toilets are usually relatively enclosed indoor spaces and are often unsupervised. The virus is unstable and does not transmit as easily in outdoor environments and is rapidly inactivated by heat and sunlight. Indoors the virus is likely to survive for longer.

Social distancing and hygiene

Current guidance issued by the Welsh Government focuses on the key messages to keep Wales safe by:

• always observing social distancing (also known as physical distancing) – stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from others (outside your immediate household), indoors and outdoors;
• wash your hands regularly;
• if you are meeting one other household, stay outdoors;

Read Welsh Government social distancing guidance. 

Enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices should be followed.
Read public health guidance on cleaning and disinfection in non-healthcare settings.

In Wales there is no legal or mandatory requirement for people to wear face coverings in public.

Good practice steps to consider

Consideration should be given to the sections below taking into account local conditions, location, size, usage of toilet etc. Risk assessments should be undertaken by owners / operators before opening any toilet, and then kept under review. Risks assessments must include consideration of staff safety and any additional workforce impacts in managing and cleaning toilets. These points are over and above all normal toilet management requirements.

Hygiene – cleaning and handwashing

• Frequent enhanced cleaning and disinfection regime adhering to guidance particularly of points that are regularly touched. Frequency will be determined by owners / operators risk assessment based on likely volume of use.
• Frequent collection of paper towel and other waste.
• Minimising use of portable toilets (non mains sewage/proximity of waste/enclosed space) whilst acknowledging that at some sites it may temporarily be the only option (i.e. while other facilities remain closed). 
• Using signs and messages to build awareness of good handwashing technique and other respiratory hygiene behaviours, e.g. around coughing and sneezing in public places.
• Best practice handwashing information and facilities should be provided
• Where possible, providing disposable hand towels as an alternative to hand dryers in handwashing facilities.
• Where appropriate, sufficient and accessible provision of automated hand sanitising dispensers.
• Regular checking of facilities and measures including recording of checks.

See Further information for guidance on cleaning and disinfection in non-healthcare settings.

Social distancing

• Clear signage should be provided on the requirement to maintain a 2m distance from others (outside of your immediate household).
• Measures to limit the number of users at any one time, perhaps a one in one out system, either self-regulated with clear signage, or overseen by an attendant.
• Removing access, for example to every other urinal or hand basin through use of tape or signage or other mechanism.
• Clear markings for distancing and queuing.
• Where possible doors to toilet blocks may be wedged open to maximise fresh air, to allow users to assess numbers inside, and to limit hand contact.

Communication

Toilet signage

Clear bilingual signage with simple messages should be used:

• Do not use toilets for public use if you have symptoms of COVID-19
  (stay home, self-isolate, seek a test)
• Use them, wash your hands and leave promptly.
• Avoid unnecessary touching of internal surfaces, fixtures and fittings.
• Keep a 2m distance from others outside your own household – observe social distancing and hand hygiene guidance at all times.
• Queue outside not inside the toilets.
• Where provided – use hand sanitiser before entering and after leaving.
• Guides to good handwashing and around coughing and sneezing in public places.
• Telephone number if any cleanliness or stock issues.

Information Campaigns

Consider publically available information / publicity on:

• Toilet opening and cleaning protocols so people can plan trips and to help restore confidence.
• Reinforcing the responsibility of members of the public to follow the rules on social distancing and hygiene.

Consideration of all user groups

• Equality Impact Assessments should be reviewed to ensure that the way rules are implemented do not have a disproportionate, negative impact on those who share protected characteristics. Particular consideration should be given to those who are visually impaired in terms of signage and communication.
• Consideration should be given to opening Changing Places toilets as a priority.
• Larger toilets or those in busier areas may require supervision, at least in the initial stages, to ensure public are adhering to social distancing and to restrict the number of people using the facility. 
• In some locations toilets are looked after by volunteers many of whom will be in the at risk or extremely vulnerable (shielding) categories so alternatives may need to be found.
• Training of any personnel involved in delivering the measures will be key to ensure they understand and can communicate local guidance effectively and positively.
• Where a decision is made not to open a  toilet for public use (particularly baby change facilities, toilets for the disabled or Changing Places) an Equality Impact Assessment should be undertaken to assess impacts on accessibility to all sectors of the community. 

Queuing

• Defined areas and clear signage to indicate where pedestrians should stand when queuing using spray markings or temporary barriers.
• Management of multiple queues for different entrances through clear signage and the use of stewards as appropriate.
• “Do not join the queue, come back in xxx minutes” signs provided at popular destinations, when capacity reached.
• Alternative provision and / or seating for people who are unable to stand for long periods.
• Protection of queues through physical security measures / street furniture.