The World Health Organization recognized the outbreak of a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 as a pandemic. The virus is increasingly spreading and poses a threat to many. The main source of infection is as the virus is spread from person to person. Experts also believe that the SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted when touching surfaces or objects on which the virus is present. Cleanliness and hygiene, more than ever, play a most important role in the safety of man.

Director of the "Betta-Service" Company, the national supplier of professional means for hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, Evelina Haloian, encourages all the market players to conduct coordinated, operational work, to ensure the uninterrupted supply of personal hygiene and disinfection products to all businesses in Ukraine.

Evelina, the most important question: Are you ready? Are there enough products in warehouses?

I want to reassure you immediately - we have the situation under control. There are products in warehouses. We, as elsewhere, have difficulties with disinfectants. But we have been tightly engaged in this issue for the past week and in the beginning of this week, and have been completing our work in the direction of supply organisation, additional orders and import-substituted goods. We have ordered some hand sanitiser items from our suppliers in Ukraine to prevent possible interruptions in deliveries from Europe.

It is important to note that the situation with the coronavirus was not unexpected for us, and now this gives us some advantage. We are closely associated with the INPACS World Association, an organisation which brings together all the world's largest manufacturers of professional products for hygiene and cleanliness, as well as the largest importers of countries. We received our first signals from Europe 2-3 weeks ago, we realized that the European situation would worsen, and we started to prepare.

Today we bring to Ukraine a regular volume of goods. It is more difficult for us to get an extra amount of goods that we have not previously planned by our suppliers. First of all, it concerns a group of disinfectants, gloves and masks. But I believe that it is a matter of time, each of the manufacturers increases the volume of production and prioritises the lines in the desired range.

What was done specifically regarding this?

It's no secret that we have a large share of personal care products and disinfectants – which are imported. We import to Ukraine products from top international manufacturers that meet all international and state sanitary requirements. Two weeks ago, the first "signal" came from Germany that the German government had banned national manufacturers from exporting personal protection goods. Just a few days later, we received a more detailed similar message from many manufacturers at INPACS Headquarters.

With the introduction of full quarantine, our mission now is to support the medical segment of customers, takeaway and delivery restaurants, guesthouses, or "stuck" guests in connection with border closures, banking, and other areas that are currently operational and considered vital to supporting the life of the population.

It was a signal for us to review the delivery schedule, to increase the number of orders and machines in Ukraine. In addition, we also analysed the most in-demand items that could fall into the risk-averse zone and made insurance by ordering an in-house producer in Ukraine. So, today we have launched a new position in the range - 5-litre and 1-litre hand sanitizers. Here, the efficiency of the tool, the reliability of the supplier, the availability of the analysis of the tool by the public services, and the availability of all permits were extremely important to us.

Are you raising prices due to currency fluctuations and the pandemic situation?

Today, Betta-Service fulfils all obligations to supply current clients. This is important and worth emphasizing. With regard to raising prices, we have decided that we are not raising prices now, despite the fall in the hryvnia and given the social situation associated with increased demand through the coronavirus. Hopefully, we will be able to support this solution for as long as possible and will not have to review it. However, there are no guarantees.

We are also in talks with manufacturers and together we are trying to find a solution that will allow us to go to meet the situation of customers (many of them have suspended work completely, some have reduced operations to only vital operations) and support them on our part.

Nowadays many do not realise that disinfection alone is not sufficient to halt the spread of the virus. We strive to explain this to each of our clients and try to reduce unnecessary disinfection. It is important that we all act responsibly.

In what means are clients primarily interested and who are they? Are there risks of disruptions in the supply of goods to them?

The situation today is unpredictable. Assumptions and forecasts may not reflect reality in a week or a few days. Therefore, I express my vision as of today.

From the availability of the full range of goods, we see no risks. In the category of disinfection, there is a risk, it is surely understood by all market players. We are trying to work ahead of the curve. Manufacturers around the world are increasing production and shipment is underway. Our domestic manufacturers confirm their willingness to ship products upon request.

With the introduction of full quarantine, our mission now is to support the medical segment of customers, takeaway and delivery restaurants, guesthouses, or "stuck" guests in connection with border closures, banking, and other areas that are currently operational and considered vital to supporting the life of the population. Of course, our main priority is the supply of disinfection products such as soaps and hand sanitizers, as well as products for the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. The second key products are disinfecting wipes, gloves and masks. In addition, important areas also include various dispensers for detergents and disinfectants, paper towels and napkins.

If you take one thing away from this interview, please let it be this.

Nowadays many do not realise that disinfection alone is not sufficient to halt the spread of the virus. We strive to explain this to each of our clients and try to reduce unnecessary disinfection. It is important that we all act responsibly. Thorough cleaning does not inactivate the virus but removes it from the surface, thus cleaning the surface several times a day is more effective than disinfecting it once a day. А coordinated process involving both regular cleaning and effective disinfection is necessary to properly sanitise areas.

There are also mistakes while washing your hands. We are now preparing detailed information about this. But I want to say that proper handwashing also removes the virus from the hands and there is no need for disinfection to protect the hands from the virus. Gloves are also a good place to prevent contamination of the hands.

Returning to the risks: yes, there is a risk of Ukraine's borders being completely closed, which will affect the number of imported goods and, at the same time, the import of raw materials for the domestic producers. But I do not think that our goods will be included in the list of a complete ban on import to Ukraine as they are essential in combatting the present situation

A prolonged period of quarantine is obviously a risk to any business and the question must be asked as to how long each organisation can survive with inactive or reduced levels of operation without assistance from the State. We have seen governments across the rest of the world implement measures to protect businesses, it remains to be seen if Ukraine will follow suit.

How is your quarantine going? Is your office working?

On Monday, following the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, we informed our employees about the change of working mode from 17.03 to remote operations and at the same time, the marketing department prepared a message for the clients and placed information on our official resources.

We understand social responsibility and the need for these measures to end the pandemic as soon as possible. But our work is part of the safety of our clients and guests of their institutions and public places. We build processes so that we can pay attention to everyone and process each request to our company. All our work and arrangements will be carried out in the regular mode, the timing of implementation will remain unchanged. We do our best to become the most reliable partner for each client and our cooperation has only been strengthened.

Also, on the topic of our manufacturers. We are now receiving letters from all over Europe, where each manufacturer confirms that, even with the most stringent measures in their countries, whether quarantined or in a state of emergency, they will continue to work and produce goods.

What are your recommendations for business? How to protect our guests?

According to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, good hygiene habits are still the best way to fight coronavirus.

And proper hygiene has always been the basis of our work. That is why I believe that our clients are well prepared in this regard. At the beginning of the cooperation and with the support of the client, we conduct in-depth training in cleaning and disinfection of both premises and training in the rules of personal hygiene.

What do you need now? Many already know, but it is better to repeat. First and foremost - isolation. If there is more than one person indoors, a distance of more than two meters must be provided. It is important to make the procedure for cleaning surfaces (floor and surfaces above the floor) more frequent, especially in places such as door handles, taps, entrance panel, countertops, elevator buttons and elevator calls, handrails, water coolers and adjacent areas. Install extra handwashing detergents and disinfectants.

Provide staff and visitors with protective equipment, access to water, soap, disinfectants, paper disposable towels and napkins. For more detailed recommendations, see our public sources: on the site and on the official Facebook account.

What do you want to say to your employees and customers, hygiene and cleanliness market players?

Hard question. This is an unprecedented situation and now comes a real test of both our knowledge as experts in hygiene and cleanliness, as well as our ability to work quickly and smoothly and give our customers even in such a difficult time the best service. I and our entire team of top executives, repeat to our employees every day - we have to be calm and broadcast this to our clients.

In the most difficult situation, we will find a way out and offer, if not 100% answers to queries, then the best alternative for now. I urge all players in our market to be responsible, because today, as never before, our prompt work in the supply of hygiene and disinfection is important!