SHENZHEN has taken the lead in China by introducing local standards for public hand-washing facilities, according to the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which led the standards’ formulation.

The guidelines offer recommendations for the placement of hand hygiene facilities in public spaces, primary and secondary schools, and childcare institutions, giving instructions on the facilities’ site selection, installation, configuration, and maintenance.

These standards are applicable to the planning, design, construction, and management of public hand hygiene facilities in newly constructed, renovated, and expanded public areas, primary and secondary schools, and childcare institutions.

As per the guidelines, in public spaces, hand-washing facilities must be installed in public toilets, baby care rooms, dining areas, waste collection points, as well as key transportation hubs, municipal cultural and entertainment venues, large shopping complexes, and urban and natural parks.

For primary and secondary schools as well as childcare institutions, hand hygiene facilities should be placed in locations such as public restrooms, dining areas, classrooms, and outdoor sports venues.

A typical hand hygiene facility must consist of a sink, a tap with running water, and hand-cleaning amenities. While the inclusion of hand-drying facilities and hand-washing signs is optional, these elements can enhance the overall hand hygiene experience, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.

According to the Shenzhen CDC, it is extremely necessary to develop hand-washing standards, as an abundance of epidemiological evidence suggests that hand washing is the most effective and economical means to prevent the transmission of diseases.

(Zhang Yu)