Venues in the ACT that are listed as Covid exposure sites are not formally required to undergo deep cleaning before being able to reopen to the public.
While sites that have had a positive Covid case visit the premises are given guidance by the ACT government on how venues should be cleaned after being listed as an exposure site, deep cleaning efforts are not mandated.
While the deep cleaning requirement is not compulsory, managing director of cleaning company Spec Services Katie Hale said many businesses reach out to cleaning services wanting to do the right thing after an exposure risk.
"The sites themselves are not required to get a professional clean," she said.
"A lot of clients have been doing it because it has been the right thing to do, not because they have to do it."
Since the start of Canberra's second Covid outbreak, the cleaning company has carried out deep cleaning works at the Greenway Views retirement village and GG's Flowers.
In the case of Greenway Views, which became an exposure site after an aged care worker worked three shifts while unknowingly infectious, deep cleaning efforts took a team of nine people three days to complete.
"The minute that [Greenway Views] found out about them being an exposure site, they got a deep clean organised, and as an aged care facility, that's top of mind for them," Ms Hale said.
"They are not required to do it, but in many cases the clients contact us directly for deep cleaning of exposure sites."
Since the start of the ACT Covid outbreak that triggered the territory's second lockdown, there have been more than 400 exposure sites listed across Canberra.
An ACT Health spokesman said exposure sites were advised to implement infection control measures in line with Safe Work Australia guidelines.
"ACT Health will work with businesses identified as an exposure site to provide any further advice, answer questions businesses may have and gather information to assist the case investigation process," the spokesman said.
"Additionally, in the ACT, workplaces are required to notify WorkSafe ACT of a Covid infection if there is evidence it was contracted at a workplace and if the infected person is hospitalised."
Businesses that are on the exposure site list are urged to find information about cleaning procedures on an online factsheet, should there be a Covid case.
The online advice includes methods for how to clean hard surfaces, what protective equipment should be used and how to prepare disinfectant.
