Cal Poly Pomona has implemented cleaning protocols for common areas and academic spaces to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus as the university prepares to be Safely Together this fall.
The cleaning protocol levels follow recommendations from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The current cleaning matrix is posted on the Safer Return webpage. The levels are:
• Routine cleaning: Regular disinfectants will be utilized to sanitize surfaces including floors, tables, desks, counters, sinks, toilets, furniture, and equipment. Cleaning will involve dusting hard surfaces, wiping hard surfaces, disinfecting all surfaces, mopping floors, vacuuming carpets and mats, and emptying trash and recycling containers. Custodial staff members have been trained on the use of Clorox 360 electrostatic sprayers to disinfect spaces in alignment with the LACDPH cleaning matrix. Custodial staff members will wear face masks and gloves to perform duties.
• Cleaning of area with possible virus exposure: Routine cleaning plus disinfection of a space occupied by a person suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19 who was in the facility within 24 hours of diagnosis. All non-porous surfaces and high-touch areas such as desks, tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, computer keyboard and mouse, telephones and shared equipment will be cleaned and disinfected. Porous surfaces such as carpets and padded chairs will be cleaned with appropriate cleaning agents and disinfectants. If more than 24 hours have passed since the person diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the facility, routine cleaning is appropriate. Custodial staff members will wear gloves, goggles face shields, gowns/coveralls and use a respirator if needed. An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectant for viral/bacterial pathogens will be used in a potential virus exposure area.
“We are guided by our commitment to protect the health and well-being of our campus community,” said Kennedy Vu, director of Environmental Health & Safety, which has been tasked with creating the cleaning matrix and safeguarding the well-being of employees. “The campus is aware of the changing nature of the situation and will adapt as needed.”
When Phase II of campus repopulation starts on June 21, Facilities Planning & Management will commence with normal operating conditions for all state buildings. Summer building operating hours will be from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Custodial cleaning schedules will be revised as buildings are re-occupied and serviced on a routine basis.
In fall, more than 50 percent of courses will offer an in-person component. As students and employees return to campus in the coming weeks and months, the Custodial Services team will increase the frequency of routine cleaning in building common areas, lobbies, restrooms, elevators, handrails and other high-touch locations.
Academic instructional spaces will undergo routine or enhanced cleaning depending on the number of high-touch areas, and they will be supplied with additional cleaning and disinfecting materials for supplemental sanitation of shared surfaces.
Visit the Facilities webpage on Safer Return for more information.