Even as the nationwide lockdown was imposed and then extended, millions of Indians were stuck without any option of traveling to their native places. Those living in big cities for work have been forced to stay indoors to avoid catching and spreading the COVID-19 virus. People living in rental and shared accommodations, therefore, have been put in a precarious situation with regards to social contact. Maintaining hygiene remains one of the biggest priorities for people living in shared accommodation facilities. This article is meant to serve as a guide for such people, on how this can be made easier and simpler. 

Necessary Precautions To Be Taken 

Conventional precautionary measures such as fully covering the mouth before sneezing or coughing, using a handkerchief or mask to block particles from reaching housemates, etc, are a must. Additionally, making sure that every person living in a single shared accommodation facility washes their hands periodically is also a good practice. It is vital that residents of shared accommodations stock up on handwash, soap, and hand sanitizers to this effect. Keep an eye out for anybody exhibiting known symptoms of COVID-19. And, instead of stigmatizing them, take necessary precautions and get them the due help and assistance they need to ease their sickness. Make sure that your facility is stocked up with groceries and supplies in order to avoid taking as few trips to the market as possible. Also, ensure that every package that enters the facility is first sanitized or washed before usage. 

Keeping Up Hygiene Standards In A Shared Accommodation Facility

Unlike paid-guest and co-living accommodations, shared accommodation facilities do not enjoy the benefit of housekeeping staff to cater to their every need. In such cases, it is up to the residents to see to that their respective premises are kept clean and tidy. This can, however, lead to a lot of strife and contention amongst residents. It is therefore crucial that a roster system is put into place, allocation daily duties to individual residents so that everyone shares the burden of maintaining hygiene equally. Daily chores should involve – 

• cleaning the elevators, handles, and doors
• cleaning doorknobs, doorbells switches, and door handles
• making sure that all railings in stairwells are disinfected regularly
• cleaning taps, bathroom door handles as well as window panes 
• disinfecting the refrigerator door handle, water dispenser, washing machines, television remotes, and other household appliances
• ensuring that all housekeeping staff are properly equipped with PPE (personal protection equipment) including masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, etc.

Maintaining Hygiene In A PG Facility 

When living in a PG facility, maintaining hygiene shouldn’t be left to only one person but all those living in the facility. This involves washing hands regularly, wearing masks and using gloves when interacting with each other, maintaining social distancing standards of at least six feet between individual residents, ensuring that towels, toothbrushes, combs, and other personal items aren’t being shared, etc. Mopping floors and disinfecting them adequately and periodically is also a vital measure to be taken in PG accommodation facilities. 

Additionally, when dealing with a person or people who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms it is important to exercise restraint and compassion in equal measure. While it is important to practice social distancing, it is also crucial to not stigmatize such people in their time of need and instead be of as much assistance to them as possible. This might involve taking the pains to cook meals for them, buy them medicines, and get them the expert care they need. In such cases, it is imperative that the local health officials overlooking COVID-19 cases be informed, so that testing might be done as soon as possible, and appropriate measures be taken based on the results of these tests. 

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