What are the current cleaning protocols? 

In alignment with CDC guidelines, GCS uses EPA-approved products to clean and disinfect schools and school buses daily.

Cleaning refers to the use of soap and water while disinfecting refers to using a fluid or chemical that further removes viral particles – including COVID-19 – from surfaces.

Per the CDC, “In general, cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove potential virus that may be on surfaces. Disinfecting (using disinfectants on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency COVID-19 list) removes any remaining germs on surfaces, which further reduces any risk of spreading infection.”

If a facility has had a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours, GCS custodial staff clean and disinfect the space.

In addition, GCS will clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily. Cafeteria tables will be wiped down and disinfected in between use and/or in between school use/ACES use and following ACES.

School buses will be cleaned and disinfected prior to and after completing routes each day.

GCS continues to follow local, state and federal health and sanitation requirements for school nutrition programs. Other routine cleaning will be conducted daily; however, manipulatives and student/classroom/media center materials do not need to be cleaned in between uses.

After a COVID positive case has been confirmed by Public Health, maintenance staff and/or the principal will contact the lead custodian to clean and disinfect any affected spaces in alignment with CDC protocols using EPA-approved cleaning fluids and disinfectant.

GCS custodians will clean and disinfect affected areas within 24 hours of identification of a positive COVID-19 case. If an individual has been present at school/work site and prior to student/worker use/arrival or if individual has not been present for more than 24 hours, additional cleaning and disinfecting is not recommended or required, per the CDC; and in these situations, routine cleaning will be sufficient.