March 5, 2020
From: James Clarke, Head
Facilities
Many of us are monitoring the coronavirus situation and making assessments. Currently, prevention is of high importance and our foremost priority in our commitment to the health and safety of our staff and their families. IFPRI and other tenants at Headquarters are following recommended best practices committed to everyone’s safety.
Steps already in place at IFPRI HQ:
Daily Cleaning
At the onset of reports of the coronavirus spreading, our cleaning company immediately switched from their green disinfectant to more potent products like Oxivir and Virex. They adjusted the day porter’s schedule to allow for increased disinfecting of all public areas. The day crew uses microfiber cloths to clean/disinfect public areas 3 times during their shift, and additionally, the night crew does a deeper cleaning/disinfecting of all highly touched common surfaces on all floors. These areas include restrooms, elevators buttons, lobbies, main entrances, fitness centers, and conference centers.
Common Areas
We placed disinfectant wipes in all kitchens. In all restrooms, we placed a countertop soap dispenser for use in case the automatic dispensers misfire. Daily, the building team will check to make sure all automatic dispensers are working and stocked. Please notify the receptionist if you are aware of any issues so that we may promptly address them.
Events
While IFPRI-sponsored events are restricted to those that are business-critical and present minimal risk to IFPRI staff and external participants, we have asked our cleaning crew to clean and treat event meeting areas during and after the meetings. The cleaning crews will specifically target all high touched surfaces, elevator buttons, the coat closet, water fountains, countertop equipment, conference room door handles, trash pulls, stairwell doorknobs, catering kitchen surfaces, appliances, and restrooms. We will provide an increased level of hand sanitizers for the meeting area and registration table.
If holding an essential event, please make an announcement to participants, that in the interest of everyone’s safety, anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever should not attend. If anyone seems unwell but still comes in, we will ask them to leave in the interest of all participants.
Best practices to reduce the spread of germs
- Monitor for symptoms—such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Any staff member with a cold, flu, persistent cough, problems breathing, and/or fever should stay away from work, avoid travel, and seek medical assistance as necessary.
- Stay home until you are free of fever, signs of a fever, and any other symptoms without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medications.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Seek medical attention if you have reason to believe you have been exposed to coronavirus or influenza.