Elevator etiquette during COVID-19

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Covid-19

The unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 has been a daunting challenge for everyone. While many of us currently face restrictions to moving around our towns, cities, and the buildings in them, there are premises that need to stay operational, even in times of crisis. Lifts are often the most efficient way for the people in these buildings to get where they need to be when they need to be there.
As businesses are putting their return to work protocols into practice, we are here ready to support you. By following the below elevator etiquette, anyone using an elevator during the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak can do their bit to stay safer during the pandemic.

Avoid direct hand contact with buttons

To avoid the spread of microbes in lifts with traditional push buttons, it’s best not to touch the keys with your bare fingers. Opt instead for a gloved finger or use the end of a pencil or something similar to push the button.
If you need to use your bare hands, remember to wash them as soon as you can or use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.

Avoid crowds

If the lift is already full, be patient and wait for the next one. Or consider taking the stairs instead. It’s best to travel in the lift on your own or with just a few other people to limit the spread of diseases like the new coronavirus, which are transmitted through respiratory droplets.

Practice social distancing

If you are in an lift with other people, try to stand at least one meter away from your fellow passengers. If you are in a crowded lift, it’s polite to adopt the Nordic way and refrain from talking. If you have to cough or sneeze, turn away from others and use your sleeve or a handkerchief to prevent droplets from spreading.

Regular cleaning of surfaces

It is always good practice to have lift surfaces cleaned regularly. Encourage additional cleaning efforts so that lift buttons, handrails, car walls, doors and other surfaces, such as touch-screen panels, are cleaned regularly with the right types of disinfectant.

Make the most of the available technology

Technology can be our friend in times of trouble. Nordic lifts are able to offer several solutions to allow the lift to be called without the use of the buttons, screens in or around the lift can be used to keep passengers informed of the latest guidance or news, UV lighting can even be installed to ensure the lift is germ free.

How can we help?

As a starting point, we would suggest a COVID-19 Lift Review and Risk Assessment. This is a service that reviews the circumstances in your particular building(s). Invariably it involves undertaking a traffic analysis to understand the reduced operating capacity of the lifts.
Nordic Lifts can then assist with coming up with a plan that works for your buildings and your occupants, recommending measures that can be taken to lessen the impact whilst always reducing the risk of the spread of this virus.