Prepared by Spencer and Fry, Conservation specialists, November 2020

 Relative Humidity and Temperature

In terms of surface persistence, increased temperature and relative humidity do reduce the half-life of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, (a low RH is below 40%).

Above 60% there is an increased risk of mould and related illnesses.

Any air conditioning, humidification or heating should be directed away from people.

Changes to environmental conditions can have a seriously damaging impact on collections and historic interiors, and so should not be implemented without the advice of a conservator, and the environment should be maintained between 40-60% RH.

The Academy of Medical Sciences report on preparing for winter 2020/21 (The Academy of Medical Sciences, 2020) states that in most indoor environments the virus is “unlikely to persist in the air at a level that poses a risk for more than 30 minutes after an infected person leaves.”

We hope that more published research will be available to share soon, and there is more advice on the Historic England website. Guidance from Historic England on Cleaning Historic surfaces:

https://historicengland.org.uk/coronavirus/historic-places/cleaning-disinfecting-historic-surfaces/

Resources

National Trust Manual of Housekeeping – 2011

SEMDP Advice on Reopening Museums – Reopening Museums Toolkit

https://southeastmuseums.org/resource-library/advice-on-reopening-museums-reopening-museums-toolkit/

ICON ‘Waking Up’ Collections: A Post-lockdown Guide

https://icon.org.uk/system/files/public/waking_up_collections_final.pdf

Historic England Guidance for Reopening Heritage Locations

https://historicengland.org.uk/coronavirus/reopening-heritage-locations/

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Cleaning-and-Disinfection

Guidance from Historic England on Cleaning Historic surfaces

https://historicengland.org.uk/coronavirus/historic-places/cleaning-disinfecting-historic-surfaces/

Conservation Advice on the SEMDP website

https://southeastmuseums.org/support/conservation/

Government advice on cleaning work areas during Covid 19

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/heritage-locations

Government advice on cleaning during Covid 19

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings#:~:text=Wash%20items%20in%20accordance%20with,the%20cleaning%20guidance%20above

Information about Benchmarks in Collections Care 2.1

https://collectionstrust.org.uk/?s=Benchmarks+in+Collections+Care

Advice about vacuuming

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Cleaning-and-Disinfection

Collection Care Guidance for Museums and Historic Properties during the Covid-19 Crisis Guidance note prepared by Claire Fry ACR, Preventive Conservation Consultant, Spencer & Fry

https://icon.org.uk/system/files/public/collection_care_guide_for_museums_and_historic_houses_during_covid-19_updated.pdf

Guest Blog about mould in museum Collections on the PEL website; Finch, L. Help, I have mould! Conservation and Cleaning

https://www.preservationequipment.com/Blog/Blog-Posts/Help-I-have-mould-Conservation-and-Cleaning?utm_campaign=Help%21%20we%20have%20mould%20%28on%20our%20blog%29%20PEL%20-%20Re-send&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_content=&utm_medium=email