Iscte became the first Portuguese higher education institution to receive the Disinfection Monitored - Cleaning Checked seal, which assesses health and safety conditions against the new coronavirus. This certification is the result of an audit by SGS, a world leader in health and safety inspections.

“With the start of the new academic year, we intend to show our academic community that Iscte is prepared and committed to offer the best conditions for normal activity”, says Jorge Costa, Iscte's vice-president for Information Systems and Quality. "Obtaining this seal allows us to validate that the procedures that we have implemented as preventive measures against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Covid-19), provide the necessary conditions for the normal functioning of this institution".

Measures taken

Iscte introduced trash cans without a lid or pedal, with mechanisms that prevent touch: partial opening at 45º with a wedge in the case of undifferentiated waste containers (located outside) and containers for placing masks (located inside). This measure is followed by the prioritization of natural ventilation, with the opening of windows and doors; the constant cleaning of all spaces; the social distance in classrooms and auditoriums, through alternate places, and the distribution of alcohol-gel dispensers throughout the institution.

Desinfection Monitored - Cleaning Checked is a solution that consists of verifying the cleaning indexes of organizations, through the collection of samples and analyzes on site, which attest and guarantee the efficiency of cleaning and hygiene processes. The safety of workers, the cleaning and disinfection of spaces and infrastructure, as well as the functioning of the organization and control of workplaces are some of the aspects evaluated by the certification program.

Source: Iscte