Covid-19 FAQ's
COVID-19 is more likely to be picked up from surfaces that are touched often.
Hard surfaces
Identify high-touch surfaces (i.e. door and window handles, light switches, taps, kitchen and food preparation areas, tabletops, microwave buttons, bathroom surfaces, toilets) in your home (and/or work environment) for priority cleaning and disinfection.
Clean and disinfect these surfaces 1 to 2 times a day. Clean surfaces to remove any dirt with water and soap (or detergent). Then disinfect the surface using a store-bought disinfectant, or a home-made diluted bleach solution. Allow the surface to remain wet for at least 1 minute (Note: A bleach solution can be prepared by mixing 20 ml of bleach in 1L of water; prepare fresh each day. Store in opaque containers, in a well-ventilated, covered area away from sunlight).
High-touch electronics (i.e. phones, touchscreen devices, keyboards, remotes) should be cleaned once a day using disinfectant wipes or sprays with at least 60 to 70% alcohol. Dry the device immediately. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions for any related warnings (i.e. products to avoid, water damage).
Clothing
It is recommended to store possibly contaminated clothing in a container with a plastic liner. Make sure not to shake any clothes so that particles enter the air. Possibly contaminated clothing may be washed with regular laundry in warm/hot water (60 to 90oC) and detergent.
Food Safety
Wash your hands before putting away groceries at home, and wash them again once you have finished handling food or food packaging. It is not recommended to wash vegetables or fruit with soap or other chemicals, as their porous surfaces can absorb chemicals not intended for consumption.
When preparing food, disinfect surfaces first and then wash your hands thoroughly before handling the food. Be assured that heating foods to normal cooking temperatures will kill the virus.
For more, see the Government of Canada’s page on COVID-19: Cleaning and Disinfecting.