As COVID-19, the illness caused by the corona virus SARS-2, spreads, it is causing major changes in behavior and activity around the world. With more than 50 years in the portable restroom business, Anderson Rentals knows quite a bit about events and about hygiene. We wanted to offer some insights for those who may be organizing an event during this outbreak. You may feel competing pressures to cancel or hold your event. Hopefully, a little knowledge will help you to understand your situation and make the safest decision.
Personal Hygiene During the COVID-19 Outbreak
COVID-19 spreads in droplets, such as those produced by sneezing and coughing. When those droplets reach another person’s eyes, nose or mouth, the virus can spread. The virus can also survive on hard surfaces for an unknown length of time, according to Harvard Health. That means a person can touch something harboring the infection, then infect themselves by touching their face.
The virus is susceptible to soap, which breaks it down in about 20 seconds. Everyone is advised to wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds and then rinse them thoroughly. In the absence of soap and water, a sanitizing solution with at least 70 percent alcohol will kill coronavirus, according to Consumer Reports.
Facilitating Good Hygiene with Portable Toilets and Sinks
If you already have an order with Anderson Rentals for portable toilets, it’s not too late to add other items to your order. Take a look at these options for improved event hygiene.
Flushable Toilets
Our Deluxe Flushable portable restrooms feature foot pumps for both the toilet and the handwash sink. Liquid hand soap and dispenser are included. The soap is not hands-free – but washing for 20 seconds eliminates the need for this.
Sinks and Soap Dispensers
Numerous health experts endorse soap as your best defense against this corona virus. Add portable sinks, equipped with soap and foot pedals, to your order.
Hand Sanitizer
We offer alcohol gel hand sanitizer in two ways. We offer Handistands for placing outside individual portables or all by themselves or at other key locations around your site. We can also place gel dispensers inside the portable restrooms. These add one more layer of defense for your event attendees.
Attendants
We can provide restroom attendants for all-day cleaning and freshening of your portable restrooms.
Servicing of Your Portable Restrooms
When you rent portable restrooms or trailers for an event or a longer-term situation like a construction site, you will get a servicing plan based on the duration of the event and the use-rate.
When you rent for one day, the equipment arrives clean and ready for the day’s activities. For a two-day or longer event, Anderson Rentals will service all equipment at the start of the following day.
Servicing includes:
- Evacuating waste from holding tank
- Charging the unit by adding blue deodorant.
- Scrubbing the walls, floors, toilet seats, and urinals
- Restocking toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels
In lieu of an Attendant, you might also consider appointing someone (a volunteer) to wipe down surfaces like door handles, toilet paper dispenser, and faucets with alcohol wipes at regular intervals. Please understand that many fast food establishments, with very high foot traffic, clean and service their restrooms every half an hour.
Other Tips for Events During the COVID-19 Outbreak
As this COVID-19 outbreak continues, communication is key for event organizers. Keep the public informed, through your website and social media, about your intention whether or not to move forward with your event. If you choose to hold an event, take the proper precautions. Encourage people to stay home if they feel sick or if they have been in contact with someone who is sick in the last 14 days.
Holding an event during an unprecedented disease outbreak like this one will undoubtedly present challenges. We appreciate you choosing Anderson Rentals and trusting us with your portable restrooms and sinks. We are here for you, in any way we can, to help keep your event attendees as safe and healthy as possible.