The city of Wichita has announced proactive steps being taken to prepare for any occurrence of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Cleaning activities are being stepped up at city facilities with an emphasis on highly-touched areas such as elevators, hand rails and restrooms.   The activities are underway at city hall, the public library locations, CityArts, the Mid-America All-Indian Center, public golf courses, Botanica, and the Old Cowtown Museum, among other facilities.

Crews at Eisenhower National Airport and Century II are using an enhanced cleaning process known as electrostatic spraying, which allows large spaces to be sanitized more efficiently and effectively with electrically-charged particles.  Hand sanitizer and disinfectant stations have been placed throughout the airport terminal and concourse, and hand sanitizing stations will be placed in high-traffic areas of Century II.    Signs have also been placed in restrooms to encourage hand washing.

Wichita Transit is working to disinfect its buses nightly, and there will be cleaning activities in the administration building and the Transit Center.

The city’s public works department is working to hire vendors to increase cleaning coverage at recreation centers and other city facilities.

The additional cleaning sessions are expected to begin the week of March 16th.   Public works and transit facilities are also looking at the addition of electrostatic cleaning tools.

The city is also encouraging employees to follow best hygiene practices as outlined by local health officials.