Use Approved and Labelled Sanitization
March 22, 2020
KINGSTON, Jamaica. 21 March 2020: It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Health and Wellness that establishments are requiring customers to use unlabeled and unknown substances to sanitize their hands before entering. We have also been made aware that some of these unknown substances have caused adverse reactions in some customers.
The Ministry is advising establishments that wish to offer this sanitization option that they should use an approved hand sanitizer in a container and that this is labelled. The Ministry is also warning against the use of any mixture of chemicals. Additionally, customers are to be advised as to what chemicals/hand sanitizer is being used. Customers are not to be denied entry, on the basis of refusing to use the unlabelled and/or unknown substance. Establishments should also make facilities available where customers can wash their hands with soap and water.
Of note, for effective use, all hand sanitizers should contain minimum of 62% alcohol content.
In the meantime, members of the public are urged to adhere to measures that will decrease the spread of COVID-19 and other viral illnesses, including:
- Maintaining distance of at least 1 metre (3 feet) from persons who are coughing or sneezing
- Covering mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and discard it, then perform hand hygiene immediately
- Refraining from touching your face, as best as possible
- Performing hand hygiene frequently, use soap and water especially when visibly soiled or an alcohol-based sanitizer with a minimum of 62% alcohol.
The Ministry wishes to remind all persons, who suspect that they have had exposure to COVID-19 and are displaying symptoms to self-isolate immediately and contact the Ministry of Health & Wellness at 888-ONE-LOVE (663-5683) or 888-754-7792 for further instructions. Persons may also send an email to the Ministry using covid19@moh.gov.jm or jacovid19facts@gmail.com.
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