Promoting the key moments of hand hygiene in a Targeted Hygiene intervention at COP26

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021 presented a unique public health challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic.  A risk-based Targeted Hygiene approach was developed and implemented that aimed to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission at the event.  This involved developing protocols for ongoing cleaning of key surfaces in the venue during the sessions by cleaning operatives, combined with measures to facilitate and motivate delegates to practice effective hand hygiene whilst attending the sessions. A risk-assessment was used to identify key moments where for surface hygiene by cleaning operatives and hand hygiene interventions by attendees were within COP26 venues, from which training and cleaning protocols for cleaning operatives were produced. Cleaning interventions and hygiene messaging were implemented throughout the conference, and behavioural science principles were used to motivate hand hygiene compliance. The number of individuals officially affiliated with COP26 that tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 was 2 in 1,000, compared with 11-12 in 1,000 individuals in Scotland during the same period. This risk-based Targeted Hygiene approach serves as a blueprint for effective and sustainable nonpharmaceutical interventions at large scale events.

The design and implementation of this intervention is described in the attached posters that were presented at conferences in 2021/2.

LM Ackerley , AC Paskey, C Buckley, SM Cooper, B McClean, K Slater J Logan, J Parker, S Bainbridge