The aim of this preventive measure is to sanitize the University's facilities, especially those for common use.

On monday, march 16, the Chilean President Sebastián Piñera declared that Chile is in phase 4 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a significant increase in the number of cases in the country. So far (march 23) there are 746 cases in Chile, and worldwide this virus has surpassed 16,000 deaths and more than 360,000 infections.

In response to the situation, the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO) decided on march 16 to suspend all administrative and academic activities, which allowed to take additional measures with the aim of reducing the risk of infection, such as sanitizing all university facilities.

This preventive measure was led by the Office for Risk Prevention and the Emergency Committee of UFRO. For the disinfection a quaternary ammonium compound, as it is also used in hospitals and different industries and which eliminates all types of fungi, bacteria and viruses, was used.

The sanitization was done in all of the University's facilities, especially in the spaces of common use, such as stairways and corridors, as well as in the vehicles that are being used. The only exception are those laboratories that work with microorganisms, in order to avoid putting at risk the research tests that are carried out there.

“This process achieves to eliminate bacteria, fungi and viruses after five minutes of applying the disinfectant agent. The time the compound remains on the surfaces will depend on the manner in which the areas are re-entered. That is why we must avoid re-entering the sanitized areas unless it is strictly necessary, but ideally, the University should not be entered in the next 10 to 15 days," said George La Clerq, a risk prevention engineer of the university.

The security guards, whose work spaces have also been sanitized, must wear a special suit, a face mask, gloves and use alcohol gel. In addition, any person that enters the Aula Magna to participate in meetings related to the contingency must comply with the same requirements mentioned above, and disinfect their shoes.

It is worth mentioning that quaternary ammonium is also used to disinfect the spaces of the University where the meetings in relation to the contingency are held, 1 hour before and 1 hour after each meeting.

“Together with the UFRO Office for Risk Prevention and the Emergency Committee, which is led by the Vice-rector for Administration and Finances, we are evaluating whether to carry out an additional disinfection in the next few weeks or a couple of days before returning to normality. The decision will be taken depending on the development of this contingency", concluded La Clerq.