How Touch-less Access Control Can Reduce Risk of Novel Coronavirus
Touch access control is quickly becoming the standard in many aspects. Both company and residential buildings are implementing these systems rapidly. During COVID, we’ve seen installation requests increase noticeably.
Surely, it’s part of the growing trend, but is that the only reason? Many experts agree that touch access can act as a fundamental safety measure against coronavirus. It might sound obvious, as it translates into less surface area prone to infection.
However, it goes a bit deeper than that. Let’s see how.
What does touch mean for COVID-19?
The Wiley Online Library has a great article explaining the implications of touch during the pandemic. It dissects the role of touch in human interaction and what the pandemic means for this basic need.
Interestingly, healthcare sees touch as conveying comfort and care, but it has transformed into an infection factor during the coronavirus crisis. Most importantly, touch has become something we’re advised to avoid at all times, and the implications behind this extend to access control.
Door knobs and infection
During the early onset of coronavirus, The Straits Times released an article explaining how doorknobs might present a safety hazard. One of the earliest reports about the virus focused on how it was found in a patient’s door knob.
Summarized, we transmit the virus via droplets. That’s why coughing is the most common way to become infected. However, these droplets aren’t always in the air. They can land on different surfaces, including door knobs.
There’s a reason why surfaces require care
All work and public spaces have similar rules. They demand people remain physically distant, avoid crowding, and stay away from surfaces. Stair handles and other surfaces are a priority for janitors and other sanitary services.
That’s because droplets make their way to them quite easily. A simple cough can proliferate these agents into their surroundings. One of the main advantages of touch access control is reducing the need for coming in contact with these surfaces.
Current workplace regulations for coronavirus
The best way to understand why touch access control can be a vital ally against COVID-19 is to look at popular safety measures in the workplace. OpenPath has a compilation of recommendations, which support what we’re trying to say.
That said, the bottom line for COVID-19 prevention in the workplace is to minimize (or eliminate) physical contact between people. There’s a plethora of ways we can ensure this, and you can already guess where this is going.
Yes, touch access control is important
Touch access control lets people enter the spaces they need without coming in contact with potentially-contagious surfaces. Fobs and proximity systems let you open the doors you need while avoiding door knobs. Surface contact is still physical contact, and these systems let you minimize it.
It’s not a miracle cure, though
No one should fall for the idea that installing touch access systems is the only step to prevent coronavirus. Proper education and other measures play key safety roles. Make sure you take a complete approach instead of wishing for a magic cure.
