DISINFECTION services are seeing a boom as more sectors reopen during the recovery movement-control order (RMCO) period.

Business operators are still cautious about Covid-19, even as the country slowly opens up.

While businesses are more stringent with getting their premises disinfected, residential areas are also following suit with more enquiries on the services provided and their effectiveness.

Gaia Science Sdn Bhd group managing director Steven Suresh told the Malaysian Insight that they are also engaging with residential areas.

“They are probably looking at the costs. The cost ranges between 60 sen and RM4 per square foot and it depends on whether the client chooses surface cleaning or room decontamination.

“We have many enquiries coming in and we will do our best to provide the services needed.”

His firm has been providing decontamination services for 11 years.

“Since the pandemic, we have shifted into providing disinfection services for schools, offices and homes.”

Suresh said they perform risk assessment for their clients before embarking on any work.

“We have been to Covid-19 areas and what we do for the clients is risk assessment.

“If there is a confirmed case, then we will take precautions, such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) suits. After surveying the area, we will provide the customer with the assessment details,” he said.

There are two ways of disinfection, one of which is using a machine to fog enclosed spaces and surface spraying.

“The fogging is more of a sterilisation process where it kills almost all bacteria.

“In some places, we leave the machine on for a couple of hours and in some places, overnight.

“This is to ensure that the place is properly sanitised so that it can seep into all the crevices.”

As to how effective their methods are, Suresh said they use biological indicators to test the area and they’re 99% accurate.

“We use disinfecting agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, which is approved by the United States Centres for Disease Control.”

Consumers’ role

Pekan Medicals Sdn Bhd account manager P. Mahendran Nair said the threat of Covid-19 will linger on until there is a vaccine.

“What we can help to do is reduce the chances of people getting the virus.

“We need to take extra precautionary methods to try and control the outbreak,” he said.

Mahendran said many do not disinfect their premises because of the costs but it should be done daily with the right price.

He said they are looking to talk to residents’ associations to see if they are interested.

“The main aim is not to seek profit but to try and help reduce the chances of people getting the virus.”

Mahendran’s company also provides both fogging and spraying services.

“While we provide the services, those who want to do long-term cleaning can be guided to use the machine and chemicals.

“We will provide the machine and chemicals and teach the consumers how to use it.

“It takes about 20 minutes to do a single-storey house and shop lots for about 30 minutes,” he said.

The chemicals are approved by the Health Ministry and in accordance with the regulations from the International Trade and Industry Ministry.

“According to Miti, it should be done three times a day, but many do not do it because of the costs.”

Pekan Medicals charges between RM120 and RM150 per session for premises 1,200 to 1,300 sq feet.

The chemical it uses, Germisep, is a halal-certified and non-animal based, adding that any disinfection process will only last for 24 hours.

Safety precautions

Pigeon Express Performance manager Jagdave Singh said when dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, they have to be extra careful.

“As a precautionary measure, we have disinfected both our logistics centres in Kuala Lumpur and Puchong.

“We have a total of 74 employees, including those who are going out for delivery, so action was taken for their safety,” said Jagdave.

Swasta Setia Holdings Sdn Bhd Human Resources senior manager Menaga Adaikan said they disinfected their office in the city before their staff could return to work.

“It was crucial to disinfect the office because of the safety of our staff.

“We have to take all safety precautions as the threat is still there.”

There were only six new Covid-19 cases reported as of noon yesterday, bringing the total to 8,596. The death toll remains at 121.

The country is under the RMCO until August 31. – June 25, 2020.