Abstract

For the heritage sector the global pandemic has introduced unique challenges; with
infectious viral particles persisting on some surfaces for days, people must be protected
from objects as much as the objects need to be protected from people.
Until recently information on persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes
COVID-19) on different materials has been dispersed through the scientific literature,
often with access limitations. Similarly it has been difficult to find information on how
to disinfect heritage surfaces using methods which avoid the damage to the surface.
Recent work by Historic England has collated information from Conservators and
Microbiologists on the cleaning of viral particles from historic surfaces to combine the
current information in one, accessible, place.