Hiring Housekeepers During a Pandemic
We have all been isolating ourselves and distancing ourselves for many months now, and many of us have taken up household chores that used to be done by a housekeeping service. Alternatively, the transition to working from home has created new demand for help keeping a home fresh and clean. Whatever situation you are in, many questions still abound on what is the safest way to bring in housekeepers during COVID.
It is understandable that many of us have had absolutely enough of the endless laundry, dishes, and cleaning that results from a more home-centric lifestyle. Not only is hiring a qualified housekeeper a great way to alleviate the stress of housework but will actually upgrade the cleanliness and freshness of your home because you’ve hired a professional.
What Steps Should a Household Take to Ensure Safety for the Family and Staff?
Like so many questions with COVID, the answer is: it depends. One key factor to consider is the level of infection in your community. If the level is relatively low in your community, a policy of masks, gloves, and social distancing from family members could be an effective way of minimizing risk. However, there are other concerns. Johnson McGee, Dean of Health Services at the University of New Haven said, “my fear is that household workers who travel from home to home, who don’t take adequate precautions, become a petri dish and are spreading illness to others.” As such, it may be prudent to delay cleanings if you feel uncomfortable. However, if you are ready to hire a housekeeper there are a few policies to consider.
- Communicate outdoors.
If you need to make specific instructions or have a plan to work out with your staff, move the meeting outdoors. As we know now, talking creates an invisible mist that could be a vector for the virus. Open-air reduces the chances of contagion. - Vacate the Premises
If possible, leave the home while it is being cleaned. Take the time to run some errands or get some exercise. This is a quality in social distancing. - Open Windows and Doors
The idea here is to create a free flow of fresh air in the home. This will help reduce the number of air particles that are circulated in your A/C. - Text Your Plan and Policy Beforehand
Before your staff arrives at the house, prepare them with specific instructions so there is no ambiguity. For instance, “Please meet me outside the garage when you get here before entering the house.” - Limiting Cleaning Surfaces
Although we know COVID is spread via air and less by touch, it may still be prudent to limit certain surfaces from the housekeeping staff. You may want to consider cleaning heavily used surfaces like bathroom sinks and kitchen counters yourself. - Check Temperature
Before staff is admitted to the home, check their temperature. Anything over 100 is a no-go. It is that simple. - Where Masks & Gloves
For the safety of you and your staff, everyone including the homeowner should wear a mask while communicating and working. Gloves should be worn by staff while cleaning. Proper protocols of when to dispose of gloves should also be communicated with staff. - Eating Should Be Done Outside the Home
Eating lunches and snacks should be done outdoors or in the staff’s own cars. - Limit To One Worker
You may want to limit housekeeping to one staff member rather than a pair of workers. As ever, this is about reducing risk of exposure. - Reclean Certain Surfaces
Upon reentering your home, clean doorknobs, stair railings, cabinet knobs, and other high-touch surfaces. The longer the house remains empty before entering the better. - Ask your potential employee about their daily habits
What protocols do they practice so they don’t get covid? Do they go shopping, have family parties, or eat? Groceries delivered? No shoes in the house? Do they have children in school?
This list is not exhaustive, but we wanted to give you some topics to think about. Do you have any questions, concerns, or other tips? Please comment below! Joanna Gray Agency is here to help as well. We specialize in connecting professional housekeepers to families and households across Georgia, Florida, and the Southeast region. Please contact us today to find a qualified maid service in Tampa, FL, Miami, FL, Naples, FL, Alpharetta, GA, Atlanta, GA, Vinings, GA, or any other city in the southeast region.
