Question: Do ventilation systems need to be cleaned and disinfected prior to opening back up during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Shops and branches
section_headers: 5. Cleaning the workplace
5.1 Before reopening
section_content: In this section

5.1 Before reopening
5.2 Keeping the workplace
5.3 Hygiene: handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets
5.4 Customer fitting rooms
5.5 Handling goods, merchandise and other materials, and onsite vehicles

5.1 Before reopening
Objective: To make sure that any site or location that has been closed or
partially operated is clean and ready to restart, including:

an assessment for all sites, or parts of sites, that have been closed, before restarting work
cleaning procedures and providing hand sanitiser, before restarting work

Steps that will usually be needed:


Checking whether you need to service or adjust ventilation systems, for example, so that they do not automatically reduce ventilation levels due to lower than normal occupancy levels.


Most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment, however where systems serve multiple buildings, or you are unsure, advice should be sought from your heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineers or advisers.


*[HVAC]: heating ventilation and air conditioning

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The response mentions maintaining ventilation systems, but not the cleaning.
does not address cleaning procedure or answer question.

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Bad

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Staying safe outside your home
section_headers: Keep indoor places well ventilated
section_content: Evidence suggests that the virus is less likely to be passed on in well-
ventilated buildings and outdoors.
In good weather, try to leave windows and doors open in areas where people
from different households come into contact, or move activity outdoors if you
can.
Use external extractor fans to keep spaces well ventilated and make sure that
ventilation systems are set to maximise the air flow rate.
Heating and cooling systems can be used at their normal temperature settings.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The response is specifically about ventilation but does not mention cleaning.
states that ventilation should be ok and should not need to be to cleaned if well ventilated.

Reviewer ratings:
Could be Improved
Excellent

Answer passage (source: UK):
page_title: Guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer transport guidance for operators
section_headers: Cleaning
Cleaning before increasing capacity or re-opening
section_content: Organisations should ensure that any site or location that has been closed or
kept partially open during the coronavirus outbreak is assessed and
appropriate steps taken to prepare for restart or ongoing operation.
Organisations could consider:

Conducting a working environment assessment for all sites that have been closed, before restarting work.
Carrying out cleaning procedures, providing hand sanitiser, adjusting ventilation before restarting work.
Using Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and/or opening windows and doors to encourage ventilation, where possible and safe to do so.
Defining and communicating consistent procedures for standard and deep cleaning.

*[HVAC]: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
The response mentions ventilation systems but not the cleaning.
answers the question on making sure a facility is properly cleaned during and after the COVID outbreak

Reviewer ratings:
Could be Improved
Excellent