Between April 27 and May 3, 2025, Singapore recorded 14,200 COVID-19 cases in just one week. This steep rise in the number of cases is a reminder for office managers that COVID-19 is a current threat that you need to pay attention to.
As daily hospitalisations grew from 102 to 133 cases, businesses had to figure out how to keep running and at the same time keep employees safe. Many offices realised that the solution is not employing individual precautionary measures alone. Regular professional disinfection is a must.
Office spaces that embraced this combined approach have become safer and became better at controlling the spread of the said virus.
Professional office disinfection services in Singapore have become an essential part of business operations in this age of endemic respiratory diseases.
Singapore’s Current COVID-19 Situation
Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) and Communicable Disease Agency (CDA) have been transparent about our current reality. Periodic COVID-19 waves are expected throughout the year. The recent surge, which was mainly caused by the LF.7 and NB.1.8 variants, presents how quickly case numbers can climb even with high vaccination rates.
The NB.1.8.1 variant, first identified in January 2025, is spreading fast worldwide but doesn’t seem to cause more severe illness. Still, its rapid spread across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas highlights the risk of transmission in shared spaces such as offices.
This trend is important. COVID-19 surges today are more predictable and persistent unlike the spikes and drops we’ve seen early in the pandemic. A reason why workplace administrators should prioritise preventive measures instead of acting when the numbers move.
Hospitals handled the recent surge well, with ICU cases staying low at about two per day. But for businesses, their main problem is the large number of total cases. When over 14,000 people get infected in a week, it affects offices, supply chains, and services. The result is significant operational challenges.
The Science Behind Professional Office Disinfection
It is important to know the difference between cleaning and disinfection, especially if you are an office manager who is in charge of engaging office disinfection services in Singapore.
Regular cleaning aims to remove dirt and dust from the office. Disinfection, on the other hand, targets and kills germs and other pathogenic microorganisms, such as the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2).
Professional disinfection services utilise EPA-approved products that have been tested to combat coronaviruses. These products must remain on surfaces for a specific period (around 30 seconds to 10 minutes) to serve their purpose. With these tools and approach, disinfection is more effective than simple cleaning.
Office disinfection is not limited to disinfecting visible surfaces. Aside from door handles and elevator buttons, objects like meeting room tables, chair armrests, printer screens, and light switches are also sterilised.
Some office plans may make disinfection challenging. For example, open layouts help circulate the air but this setup is susceptible to faster germ spread. Shared items such as coffee machines and photocopiers are also hotspots for viruses. Other hotspots include reception areas where visitors frequent and HVAC systems too, especially if they are not maintained regularly.
Professional disinfection services in Singapore effectively handle these health risks with state-of-the-art methods and equipment. They may employ electrostatic spraying and make great use of hospital-grade disinfectants as these are more effective than the regular cleaners you’ve been using.
Aside from that, the technicians are trained to identify where it’s most risky and how to sanitise them properly.
Lessons for Office Managers
The Singapore government’s approach to the recent surge focuses on personal and social responsibility, meaning, professional disinfection works best if it’s part of a more comprehensive plan instead of being the sole solution.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) advises people to keep good hygiene, stay home if they’re sick, and wear masks in crowded places to reduce the amount of germs that can enter workplaces, so that disinfection efforts are more effective.
Timing is also important. The surge demonstrated how rapidly cases can increase. So if your office already had regular disinfection in place, you could just increase the frequency of their visits instead of scrambling for help at the last minute.
Offices that did well during the surge had some things in common:
- They had trusted office disinfection service providers in Singapore.
- They had clear plans for more frequent cleaning during health alerts.
- They communicated with employees about how personal actions support workplace safety.
Every approach also makes sense financially. Offices that didn’t manage the risks effectively faced significant consequences such as sick leave, hiring temps, lost productivity, and unhappy clients. Professional disinfection costs more upfront but it helps avoid larger problems later.
For example, one financial services company in Singapore kept 95% of its operations running smoothly during the surge by upping its disinfection plan. They spent approximately S$2,000 a month for a 50-person office, but the truth is, they saved much more by avoiding staff shortages and service delays.
How to Implement Professional Disinfection Programs
Choosing an office disinfection service provider is more than just comparing prices. Look for companies with proven experience in office settings, not just general cleaning. Make sure their staff are trained in how to handle chemicals safely, control germs, and apply disinfectants correctly for various surfaces.
The right equipment also matters. Good providers use commercial-grade electrostatic sprayers, hospital-approved disinfectants, and proper protective gear. Ask how they store and mix chemicals and whether they keep clear records of what areas were treated, what products were used, and when.
Flexibility is key, too. Your service provider should be able to increase disinfection visits during COVID-19 surges without disrupting your daily work. This could mean extra evening or weekend cleanings, or a fast response if someone at the office tests positive.
Start with a risk assessment of your workplace. Open-plan offices need different strategies than cubicle setups. Reception areas and customer-facing spaces usually need more frequent cleaning than back-office zones. Also, think about how people move through the office, what equipment they share, and how air circulates.
How often should you disinfect? Most offices do well with professional disinfection two to three times a week during normal times. During surges, daily or even multiple daily treatments may be needed. High-touch areas like reception desks and break rooms often need extra attention, no matter what.
Your disinfection plan should work alongside your regular cleaning routine but not duplicate it. Usually, regular cleaning comes first to remove dirt so disinfectants can work properly. Some providers offer combined cleaning and disinfection packages, so it’s easier to schedule with this setup.
Finally, have a plan ready for positive COVID-19 cases. This should include isolating affected areas, doing extra disinfection right away, and telling staff what steps are being taken. Having these steps in place shows employees and clients that you’re prepared.
Improving Your Disinfection Program
To know if your disinfection program is working, you need to look past the infection rates. Keep an eye on employee sick leave, especially for colds and other respiratory illnesses. This can show if your program is effective or if some areas need more attention.
Check how well your service provider is doing, too. Good providers should stick to the schedule, respond quickly to special requests, and keep detailed records of what areas were cleaned, what products were used, and any problems that came up.
Regular reviews help make sure you’re getting your money’s worth and can help you spot ways to improve.
Another good measure is cost per employee. To get this, divide your total monthly disinfection cost by the number of employees in the office. This helps you compare different providers and track if your program stays cost-effective over time.
Be ready to adjust your program as new COVID-19 variants or other respiratory illnesses appear. Stay updated with information from health authorities. Singapore’s clear updates about new variants and spread patterns are a good example of how to make smart changes to your plan.
Plan a head for surges instead of reacting last minute. Decide in advance what will trigger more frequent disinfection, like a rise in local cases or workplace exposure. Having clear criteria makes it easier to respond quickly and demonstrates to employees that you’re prepared.
And then lastly, remember that respiratory illness surges will likely keep happening. A comprehensive professional office disinfection program will benefit you now and in the future, making your investment in effective systems and trusted vendors worthwhile beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusion
The recent surge only shows that professional office disinfection services in Singapore, combined with other safety measures, provide strong immediate protection and long-term benefits.
Contact Avalon Services for high-quality disinfection services regardless of environmental conditions.
