The rapid spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 has sparked alarm worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared this rapidly spreading coronavirus outbreak a pandemic, and many countries are grappling with a rise in confirmed cases. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people to be prepared for disruptions to daily life that will be necessary if the coronavirus spreads within communities.

Due to this outbreak of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus as it is known in the press, a number of our customers have been in touch with us to ask about our recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting our touchscreens. We understand that the virus can be transmitted by touching surfaces as it can live on them for a number of hours. We also understand that we all must play our part in mitigating the transmission of the virus.

In response, we wanted to put out the following statement;

“As a company, we are not medically qualified to be making recommendations on how to tackle or go about specific virus prevention activities. Those recommendations should come from a healthcare professional.
That said, if we approach this from an engineering perspective, whatever liquids, solutions or disinfectants the medical professional recommends using on ones hands or indeed surfaces in a classroom or boardroom, we are sure they can be used to clean TouchIT Technologies’ range of interactive touch screens.
Our recommendation is that you you use a damp cloth on the screen. It should not be soaked or dripping with liquid in any way as that could damage the electronics. You should then wipe the screen thoroughly.
A damp cloth used to clean the tempered, anti-glare glass and frame with a recommended disinfectant or sanitiser solution will not damage the screen at all – just don’t get liquid in the electronics!“

The following is an extract from and article at Harvard Medical School.

What can I do to protect myself and others from COVID-19?

The following actions help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other coronaviruses and influenza:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.

What do I need to know about washing my hands effectively?

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.

  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
  • Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • The CDC’s handwashing website has detailed instructions and a video about effective handwashing procedures.