Ministerial Agreement 0741-2020

Approve the "Guidelines for hygiene and proper management of solid waste during the COVID-19 emergency". This document is directed at governments and local authorities, public institutions, private companies, municipal solid waste collection service providers, health facilities, and households with suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19. This guide has been prepared by the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Environment of Honduras and reviewed by a commission of professionals from the College of Environmental Engineers of Honduras. INTRODUCTION The Central Government, Municipalities, the private sector, and the population in general must consider hygiene practices, including proper solid waste management, as an aspect of public health that must be emphasized within the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent possible transmission to the population. Management measures must consider all hygiene recommendations to prevent transmission and proper handling of common and hazardous waste types. Failure to implement hygiene practices and proper management of these waste could trigger a rebound effect with serious consequences for health and the environment. The guidelines presented here are framed within national legislation, Executive Decree PCM No. 005-2020 on the state of emergency, and recommendations made by the Association of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering (AIDIS), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the Association for Solid Waste Studies (ARS), for the areas of hygiene, biosecurity, and solid waste management. These recommendations are directed at government technical teams at central and local levels, as well as non-governmental organizations and private companies that require sanitary measures and management of solid waste generated at household, institutional, and business levels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. JUSTIFICATION The COVID-19 virus is highly transmissible; once it circulates in the local environment, its infection rate is exponential. The virus can be transmitted through direct and indirect contact with an infected person or through droplets of human secretions (saliva, sneezes, and coughs) that contain the virus, which deposit on the surface of objects that can be touched by hand. The virus is transported on clothing and through contaminated hands, and can mainly pass to the mouth or mucous membrane of the nasal cavity or eyes, enter the body, and within hours, cause an infection. Virus carriers do not show symptoms until periods of 14 days after infection; the majority, 80%, do not require hospitalization, 15% require medical attention, approximately 5% require care in intensive care units where a mechanical respirator is essential, and approximately 3% to 4% of all infected individuals die. Studies show that the virus can survive 2 to 8 hours on aluminum, 4 days on glass, 4 to 5 days on paper, up to 5 days on plastic, 2 days on wood, and 8 hours on fabric. All these surfaces become transmission media, and upon contact with them, people become infected. Consequently, we must close all entry and exit doors for the virus; hence the importance of taking hygiene, biosecurity, and sanitation measures as means to break the transmission chain. From this arise numerous recommendations for waste management since we must anticipate the possibility of transmission through waste. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HYGIENE AND BIOSECURITY These measures are the most important to break the transmission chain of COVID-19, as they aim to block the exit of the virus from the mouth and nose as the main exit doors and prevent it from entering our body through contaminated hands. 1.1 HAND HYGIENE Hand washing is the highest-ranking protective measure and the most widespread to date, which is why its practice is expected to remain in the population and may change in the future the trend of many transmissible diseases that use the same transmission mechanism. Therefore, hand washing for 40 to 60 seconds using water and soap is recommended, following the steps of rinsing and rubbing with abundant foam on all fingers, palms, back of hands, and nails, which guarantees protection against this type of virus and other microorganisms that cause disease. It should be noted that the use of alcohol gel or other chemical disinfectant should not be used frequently or in environments such as the home and should instead be limited to use in public places or health care centers. 1.2 DISTANCING A distance of at least 1.5 to 2 meters must be maintained between individuals to prevent eventual droplets of saliva or secretion from an infected person from infecting other people. Strategies should be created for the use of common places or areas for gatherings or gatherings of people. Gatherings of people should be avoided in public transportation, banking or administrative institutions, shops and supermarkets, etc., always maintaining the previously indicated social distance. 1.3 CLOTHING In the home 1.3.1 Continuously wash hands when leaving or entering the home with water and soap and/or disinfection with alcohol or disinfectant gel. 1.3.2 Put on the required personal protective equipment (closed-toe shoes, long-sleeved shirt, protective glasses, gloves, or at least a mask). Avoid touching the face whether wearing gloves or not. 1.3.3 Establish different entry and exit routes to and from the home. Strictly comply with this measure. 1.3.4 When going out of the house, avoid using accessories such as watches, bracelets, rings, chains, earrings, etc. 1.3.5 Upon arriving home from the street, avoid contact with other people, remove footwear, and clean and disinfect the entire surface. Disinfection should be carried out with a chlorine-water solution according to section 1.8. Upon entering the home, preferably enter barefoot or wear other footwear. 1.3.6 Remove, discard, or disinfect reusable personal protective equipment, also remove all personal items (cell phone, glasses, keys, money) and perform cleaning and disinfection of the entire surface, preferably using a cloth with 70% alcohol. 1.3.7 In the case of reusable masks or gloves, they must be washed, disinfected, and stored. 1.3.8 Before entering the home or a specific area, remove clothing and place it in a basket (preferably with a lid) or, failing that, in a bag for later washing and disinfection, then shower immediately, also washing the hair. 1.3.9 Avoid contact with any person or pet before following the procedures detailed in the previous sections. In the organization or workplace 1.3.10 Follow what is established in the Biosecurity Manual prepared by the Secretary of Labor and Social Security due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 1.4 ENTRY OF SUPPLIES 1.4.1 Every item brought into the home (purchased products) must be previously disinfected, either by washing with water and soap or using a chlorine-water solution, including packaging bags, taking care not to damage their contents. After this, wash or disinfect hands as indicated in section 1.1. 1.4.2 In the case of disinfecting vegetables, a chlorine-water solution should be used (20 drops of chlorine per liter of water), allowing it to sit for a reasonable period of time. 1.5 USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR BIOSECURITY EQUIPMENT Anyone leaving their home, going to work, or with symptoms of flu or cough (at home) must use face masks or masks, which can be surgical (simple) or cloth with special filter. Surgical masks must be discarded daily, and cloth masks must be washed daily with water, detergent, or soap, to be reused and finally discarded after several uses. Care when using masks Before putting on a mask, wash your hands with a 70% alcohol-based disinfectant or with water and soap. Cover your mouth and nose with the mask and ensure that it fits snugly with no gaps between your face and the mask. Avoid excessive facial hair in general, as it can retain secretions and become a source for virus proliferation. Avoid touching the front of the mask while wearing it; if you do, wash your hands before and after with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with water and soap. Change the mask as soon as it becomes moist and do not reuse single-use masks. To remove the mask: remove it from behind (do not touch the front of the mask); discard immediately in a closed container; and wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or with water and soap. How to remove the mask It is important to provide guidance and induction on how to put on and remove masks, since hands must always be washed before putting on and after removing the mask. Depending on the type, these should be cut and discarded in a separate container and considered infectious. For N95/KN95 masks or respirators, which can be used for the days specified by the manufacturer, fold them on the inside and store them in a clean and disinfected area in case of use in homes where infected people are present. After removing and storing, wash hands again. In the case of gloves, proper techniques for putting on and removing them should be followed. 1.6 CLOTHES WASHING For clothes washing, it is recommended to use detergent that produces abundant foam, so a machine washing process is sufficient to ensure that clothes are free of COVID-19 virus. For hand washing using only soap, abundant foam should be generated. 1.7 SURFACE DISINFECTION Studies show that the virus can survive 2 to 8 hours on aluminum or metal surfaces, 4 days on glass, 4 to 5 days on paper, up to 5 days on plastic, 4 days on wood, and 8 hours on fabric. All these surfaces, including utensils and articles of daily and personal use, become mechanical means of virus transmission, which is why it is important to carry out surface hygiene actions in both homes and all public or private facilities where people transit or stay. It is also recommended to use solutions to disinfect vehicles before entering homes. The cleaning and disinfection procedure for objects and surfaces related to workers shall be carried out according to the usual manner of cleaning and disinfection of the workplace. Ensuring that the frequency is related to their use. After cleaning and disinfection, they should be dry. Disinfectant-soaked towels, water and soap, or detergents and disinfectants that are habitually authorized for this purpose can be used for cleaning and disinfection. For surfaces, disposable textile material (cloth or other absorbent material) should be used. For more details, visit the website. It is important to take precautions when using these chemical disinfection products, as mixing some of them produces effects toxic to health. List of solutions to be used as antiseptics and surface disinfectants: Additionally, you can follow instructions for preparing disinfectant solutions for hand washing at the local level recommended by WHO. 1.8 PREPARATION OF SOLUTIONS FOR SURFACE DISINFECTION Chlorine-based solution dosages for disinfecting surfaces should be in the range of 250 to 500 mg/l; however, to ensure immediate contact of a single pass in the emergency, it is recommended to use 0.1% (1000 mg/l). Solutions above this only contribute to greater expense and increased damage to the mucous membrane, irritation of skin, eyes, and fabric surfaces. Therefore, it is recommended to start with stock solutions of 1%, which is equivalent to having chlorine concentrations of 10,000 mg/l or PPM, whose stock solution should be protected from the sun in an opaque plastic or glass container in green or amber color and used within a maximum period of 15 days. In this sense, the date of preparation of the solution should be written on the container so as not to forget its expiration or due date. 1.9 CLEANING OF CONTAINERS, RECEPTACLES, AND AREAS ASSOCIATED WITH WASTE For cleaning containers and receptacles of household waste, the following technique is suggested: Use properly sanitized rubber gloves or disposable latex or nitrile gloves. Disinfect containers from mouth to base with a chlorine-water solution prepared at the time of use. Allow to air dry and do not use until dry. Once waste is removed from residential areas, apartment buildings, shopping centers, institutions, or private companies, elevators, building stairs, and the waste storage area must be disinfected with the surface disinfection solution specified in section 1.8. Exclusive use of containers or receptacles must be made for placing bags containing waste from personal protective equipment and biosecurity materials, as well as waste from suspected or confirmed cases, which should be located in areas of easy cleaning and access to public streets and difficult for children, waste pickers, and animals. The Cleaning Kit should have at least: Personal protective equipment: latex or nitrile gloves, surgical masks, eye protection, work clothing, and footwear. Rags and mops. Broom, shovel, and bags. Surface cleaning solution according to section 1.8. General cleaning guidelines: Use disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, or latex or nitrile gloves, which can also be plastic (according to PAHO) and washed with water and chlorine; these should be dedicated to cleaning and disinfecting surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using water and soap or detergent and disinfect them. Containers of surface disinfection solution must remain closed and not be exposed to sunlight. Rags and mops should be washed with water and soap producing abundant foam, then exposed to the sun. If the cleaning person has wounds, these should be covered with waterproof material or avoid continuing with this activity. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROPER SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT DURING COVID-19 2.1 FOR ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, PRIVATE COMPANIES, AND HOUSEHOLDS 2.1.1 Organizations, institutions, and private companies must establish biosecurity protocols for entry, permanence, and exit, which include disinfection of shoes and hands, temperature taking, and use of personal protective equipment upon entering the facilities. It is recommended to perform COVID-19 detection tests when returning to work and periodically. Organizations, institutions, and private companies must provide all materials and personal protective equipment for all workers; likewise, they must promote and guarantee supplies for washing or disinfection (water, soap, or alcohol-based gel) of hands before working, eating, and before leaving. For more details, visit the website. 2.1.2 It is necessary to conduct continuous talks with workers on social distancing measures (1.5 to 2 meters), hygiene, personal protective equipment, disinfection of work areas, and proper waste management, especially waste generated by discarded protective equipment, as well as conduct information campaigns aimed at workers responsible for cleaning about the risks in waste management during the current emergency situation. 2.1.3 Organizations, institutions, and private companies must establish an internal waste management protocol, classifying and separating protective materials and equipment, using differentiated containers or receptacles, considering disinfection measures before being disposed of in these. 2.1.4 When discarding masks, gloves, caps, wet towels, or other personal protective materials or equipment, these must be immediately placed in designated containers, properly identified as infectious waste, separated from other waste. In the case of masks, it is recommended that they be cut before discarding to ensure that they will not be recovered for reuse. 2.1.5 A plastic bag must be placed in the waste container and kept out of the reach of children, animals, and others. The container must be washed or disinfected when changing the bag. 2.1.6 Bags used for depositing solid waste should not be "reused," as they must be delivered closed to collection vehicles. 2.1.7 Masks, gloves, and other personal protective waste must not be mixed with common waste generated in the home, industry, institutions, commerce, and other sectors. 2.1.8 When removing the waste bag, it is recommended that it be closed and properly identified (bag in which the waste can be identified at a glance or labeled with the phrase: "Do Not Open, COVID-19"), disposed of immediately separately in the home or in a specific container in the case of industry, institutions, commerce, and others. Said bags must be disinfected. 2.1.9 Citizens are asked not to leave waste on the street, sidewalks, corners, or other public spaces when they know the waste collection truck will not arrive; if this happens unexpectedly, they should protect it from animals so it is not opened and scattered on the streets. Avoid putting out gardening waste and cutting it into small pieces and composting it within the yards of houses, preventing collection trucks from getting full. 2.1.10 Immediately after handing over and receiving the waste container or receptacle from collection workers or when taking waste to containers, wash hands thoroughly with water and soap producing foam for 40 to 60 seconds. 2.1.11 It is recommended that recyclable material be stored in an appropriate place, minimizing handling by people and thus reducing the risk of contamination. If there is no storage place or if there is differentiated collection authorized by the municipality, preventive measures must be taken to deliver it to waste collection workers. 2.1.12 Temporary storage of waste must be in a location that is not open to the air or is covered to prevent vector proliferation while it is collected and taken to final disposal. 2.1.13 In the case of public institutions and private companies, source separation must be carried out, placing waste from personal protective equipment and sanitary items in separate containers as infectious, which must be collected at least once a day and transported to leak-proof and perforation-proof containers (labeled with the biohazard symbol if possible). Waste storage areas must be clean, safe, and protected from objects, pests, and disease-transmitting vectors for subsequent delivery to the collection truck (if differentiated collection exists) or transport to the municipal landfill or dump. For the appropriate disposal of protective equipment and sanitary waste, these must be handled separately and disposed of in a special cell (defined by the Municipality) for this type of infectious waste in sanitary landfills. If the Municipality does not have a sanitary landfill and/or does not have collection service, it is recommended to reach agreements with local authorities to facilitate the establishment of a trench or pit opening at the municipal dump; and if there is no dump, they must identify a site that meets all environmental requirements for the disposal of personal protective and sanitary waste, following the process described in section 2.5.25. 2.2 FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES Upon suspicion or confirmation of having contracted COVID-19, the following should be done: 2.2.1 Waste or other material that has been exposed to nasal or oral fluids of sick or suspected persons in the home and of the person in charge of caring for the sick person must be handled separately from other waste, in a bag located in a separate garbage container, exclusive to the sick person's room. The container must be located inside the isolation room and separate from the rest of the household waste. Waste to be generated during home isolation of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases:

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  Disposable tissues.

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  Diapers.

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  Other waste with biological fluids from the patient, including disposable bathroom items such as used toilet paper or sanitary towels.

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  Personal protective equipment elements (gloves and masks).

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  Respiratory protector (mask) used by the patient.

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  Food containers and packages that have been in contact with the patient.

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  Food scraps consumed.

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  Waste generated in cleaning the isolation room. 2.2.2 The generation of waste from isolated cases should be minimized, avoiding the use of disposable materials whenever this does not compromise compliance with biosecurity measures. The use of utensils and dishes is ideally recommended, which must be marked or identified for exclusive use by the patient and be transferred and sanitized separately from the rest of the household dishes. 2.2.3 The waste bag of the isolated patient must be kept separate, and when the bag reaches 2/3 of its capacity, it must be removed by the person caring for the sick person, closed tightly, trying not to leave air in it, and placed inside a second bag where gloves, masks, or other protective equipment discarded by the person caring for the sick person are also placed, closing it tightly. Once the waste bag is removed, the container must be disinfected following the technique in section 1.9. 2.2.4 The second bag must be stored in an appropriate place, performing the respective disinfection (with chlorinated water at a rate of 4 tablespoons of chlorine per liter of water) of bags with waste and garbage containers. It is recommended that this waste be stored for 72 hours to reduce viral load and prevent virus dispersal, then be delivered to the waste collection truck, labeled with the phrase "Do Not Open, COVID-19" as a warning for careful handling of the product. If possible, the bag should be sealed with masking tape or tape. 2.2.5 After each process, hands must be washed with water and soap producing abundant foam for 40 to 60 seconds immediately after handling. 2.3 FOR MANAGEMENT OF WASTE GENERATED IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES For the management of hazardous waste generated in health care facilities, the provisions of the Regulation for the Management of Hazardous Waste Generated in Health Care Facilities. Agreement No. 7 of February 28, 2008 shall apply. Guide for the Management of Hazardous Waste Generated during COVID-19 issued by the Environmental Risk Area of the Surveillance Unit of the Secretary of Health. Other recommendations issued by SINAGER within the framework of this emergency. It is also important to consider the technical guidelines on the environmentally sound management of biomedical and sanitary waste of the Basel Convention. General considerations In the segregation of waste, that is, the separation and identification of waste. This stage should be carried out as close as possible to the generation of waste to prevent cross or extended contamination. Bags and containers for infectious waste must be marked with the international symbol for infectious substances, as well as the corresponding color. Appropriate containers or bag holders should be placed in all locations where particular categories of waste can be generated. Instructions on waste segregation and identification should be issued and posted at each waste collection point to remind staff of the procedures. Bags from containers should be removed when containers are ¾ full. Ideally, containers should be made of non-halogenated combustible plastics. Staff should never attempt to correct segregation errors by removing items from a bag or container after they have been discarded or placed in another bag of a different color. If general and hazardous waste are accidentally mixed, the mixture should be treated as hazardous sanitary waste. Chemical disinfection is most appropriate for treating liquid waste such as blood, urine, feces, or hospital sewage. Certain treatment options can effectively reduce the infectious risks of health care waste; however, they may result in other health and environmental problems and risks. Incineration of certain types of sanitary waste, particularly those containing chlorine or heavy metals, may under certain conditions (such as insufficiently high incineration temperatures, inadequate emissions control) release toxic material to the atmosphere. Land disposal may cause groundwater contamination if the sanitary landfill is inadequately designed and/or operated or if the open dump has no type of control (especially if the depth of the water table is unknown). When choosing a treatment or disposal method for sanitary waste, especially if there is a risk of toxic emissions or other dangerous consequences, the relative risks, as well as integration into the overall legal framework of waste management, must be carefully evaluated and the most appropriate alternatives identified. 2.4 FOR CLEANING WORKERS, WASTE PICKERS, AND RECYCLERS 2.4.1 Direct responsible parties must establish mechanisms to protect cleaning workers. 2.4.2 Communicate protection measures with an information campaign/training talks on risks in waste management, mainly waste from personal protective equipment and biosecurity materials. 2.4.3 Provide workers with biosecurity personal protection supplies and cleaning and disinfection materials. In the case of companies or institutions with cleaning staff, they must provide at least two uniforms. Personal protective equipment. 2.4.4 Inform and train waste pickers and recyclers on proper handling of waste bags labeled with the phrase "Do Not Open, COVID-19". 2.4.5 Municipalities should avoid, as much as possible, that waste pickers continue collecting activities on streets, dumps, or sanitary landfills, so it is recommended to establish mechanisms to provide social assistance to affected families. 2.4.6 It is recommended to temporarily close collection and recycling centers that receive separated waste to avoid manual handling of waste and to comply with social distancing provisions, given that it is not an essential activity. This is because waste may be contaminated and put at risk, first, the separation staff and, on the other hand, this material cannot be sold due to its potential risk. Those recycling companies that, in direct coordination with Municipalities, carry out differentiated collection in neighborhoods and colonies are excepted, through collection trucks and personnel provided by the company, jointly establishing temporary routes, schedules, biosecurity protocols, and types of waste to be collected, ensuring in this way that said recyclable waste is delivered directly by users to the recycler, minimizing handling of the same. 2.5 FOR MUNICIPAL SWEEPING, COLLECTION, TRANSPORT, ELIMINATION, AND DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR SOLID WASTE Since workers in cleaning, collection, transport, and final disposal of solid waste are the most vulnerable, being in direct daily contact with waste, and their work will not stop due to the importance it has in keeping spaces clean and managing solid waste sanitarily in cities, and considering that this staff will be at greater risk, recommendations are presented for proper handling of solid waste during the emergency. The recommendations, issued by international organizations or governments, have been adapted to waste management conditions in the country, which include broad participation by the informal sector in waste collection, transport, and final disposal activities. Their nature is general, so they must be adapted to the specific characteristics of each municipality. 2.5.1 In general, sanitary care protocols must be established for sweeping workers, collection routes, and final disposal sites. 2.5.2 It is necessary to provide training to workers who handle solid waste, as well as conduct information campaigns directed at workers on the risks in waste handling. In order to prevent them from manipulating or separating solid waste generated due to the current emergency situation. 2.5.3 Biosecurity personal protective equipment must be provided to sweeping and solid waste collection workers. (Masks, overalls, gloves, protective glasses or face shields). Discarding daily the disposable personal protective equipment used by workers. 2.5.4 Supplies for washing or disinfection (water, soap, or alcohol-based gel) of hands must be promoted and guaranteed before entering work, before and after using the bathroom, before eating, and before leaving. 2.5.5 It is recommended not to expose solid waste handling tasks to elderly persons or those with chronic disease conditions, in accordance with guidelines issued by SINAGER. FOR STREET SWEEPING ACTIVITIES 2.5.6 It is recommended not to sweep during this emergency since the virus may be on the surface and suspended in the air, putting sweeping staff at risk, but only to pick up exposed solid waste on public roads. FOR COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT 2.5.7 Vehicles should be fumigated upon leaving and entering the facility, cleaned inside the cabs (collection trucks, equipment, vehicles, etc.) and disinfected with a cloth or using a manual or mechanical sprayer (if possible) each time there is a shift change or change of personnel that will occupy the vehicle or equipment. The above applies to recycling companies that carry out differentiated collection in coordination with Municipalities. For this, see the section on preparation of solutions for disinfecting surfaces in section 1.8 and hand washing, as well as clothing and use of masks. 2.5.8 Trucks should be regularly washed and the leachate they bring should be discharged directly into the sewer to prevent contamination of surfaces from waste. The staff performing the cleaning of these vehicles must be equipped with safety gear including boots, uniform, gloves, masks, and safety glasses, equipment that must be disinfected daily and washed regularly. 2.5.9 All masks used by cleaning staff must be discarded at the end of the workday, hands must be washed, and all uniforms must remain in a designated area hung so that they can be sprayed with an aerosol disinfectant and left until the next workday. All personnel must change into clean clothes before heading home. Such uniforms must be washed at least every three days. 2.5.10 Simple surgical masks must be used for only one day, cut for disposal (preventing reuse) at the end of the workday at the workplace. For the mask to be effective, it must fit the face and cover the nose and mouth. 2.5.11 Washable cloth masks with a filtering medium must be washed daily at work and should not be taken home. After removing them, hands must be washed with water and soap. 2.5.12 For the transport of waste categorized as infectious, current regulations must be complied with. FOR ELIMINATION AND/OR FINAL DISPOSAL It is important to consider different alternatives for elimination or final disposal of this waste that are adapted to the reality of each municipality or company considering various economic, social, space, and effectiveness factors, with the objective of ensuring safe elimination for both the environment, its natural resources, and human health. For this reason, the Basel Convention in the document (Technical Guidelines on the Environmentally Sound Management of Biomedical and Sanitary Waste) establishes different elimination alternatives where it explains the different advantages, disadvantages, characteristics, minimum requirements, such as sanitary landfill, incineration, encapsulation, among others. FOR INCINERATION 2.5.13 If incineration is used as a disposal method for infectious sanitary waste, compliance with what is provided in Annex Number 10 of the Regulation for the Control of Emissions Generated by Fixed Sources must be considered, noting that for PAHO, waste associated with COVID-19 should not be managed differently than other infectious waste. 2.5.14 It should be taken into account that if incineration is to be used for this type of waste, control and monitoring of the establishments and companies, whether public or private, that perform this activity must be carried out to verify compliance with regulations. 2.5.15 If necessary, industrial cement manufacturing facilities authorized for thermal treatment of hazardous waste or refuse may proceed with the incineration of this infectious waste from personal protective equipment and empty containers that have contained sanitizing substances, as a service to the private sector, provided they comply with the requirements of the competent authorities. FOR FINAL DISPOSAL IN SANITARY LANDFILLS 2.5.16 The weighing and surveillance staff who receive vehicles must maintain a distance of 1.5 to 2 meters or more and use personal protective equipment and biosecurity materials. At the end of the workday, they must discard disposable material and wash with plenty of water and soap or with a chlorine-water solution the reusable personal protective equipment. 2.5.17 The weighing or surveillance staff must be equipped with fumigation equipment (sprayer and disinfectant solution) necessary to disinfect collection trucks upon leaving the sanitary landfill. 2.5.18 All personnel at the sanitary landfill must have masks and daily wash and disinfect the inside of the cabs of waste movement equipment and cover material. The staff at the work front and those directing the operation must wear rubber boots that should be removed at the end of their workday and washed and disinfected. 2.5.19 A special work front must be established with a trench or pit that can be located on a platform made up of cells, so as to carry out exclusive disposal for infectious waste from personal protective equipment and sanitary materials from health facilities, institutions, companies, homes, and quarantine areas for confirmed COVID-19 cases. 2.5.20 For final disposal, the burial method should be used through the construction of trenches or pits of 1.5 m width, 1.5 m length, and 2 m depth for waste from 200 people over ten days. For larger populations, the trench area should be increased proportionally to a maximum dimension of 3m x 3m. At the end of each day, to inert the waste, it is sprayed with lime in any of its forms (quicklime or hydrated lime), then covered with 15 cm of soil and compacted (the cell must not be left with uncovered waste). Before the trench is filled, it is covered with a 40 cm layer of compacted soil such that it is level with the natural terrain. Then another trench is dug successively. FOR FINAL DISPOSAL IN OPEN DUMPS 2.5.21 Municipalities must establish controls at open dumps and maintain permanent surveillance, preventing the presence of waste pickers. 2.5.22 Surveillance staff must have biosecurity personal protective equipment and fumigation equipment (sprayer and disinfectant solution) necessary to disinfect collection trucks upon leaving the Dump. 2.5.23 Waste pickers performing these activities must be informed that given the COVID-19 pandemic emergency and the potential risks they face, they must suspend scavenging and material recovery activities, an opportunity even to conduct a census and formulate programs for insertion into selective collection work and remove them from these unsanitary conditions and provide them with social assistance, because they live day to day. In case there are waste pickers with recovered waste stored in the surrounding areas, it must be kept for a period of 7 days before removal from the site and sale to reduce viral load in case it is contaminated. 2.5.24 Ensure rapid and effective waste collection and provide proper maintenance to access roads to the dump, expediting direct transport of solid waste. 2.5.25 At the dump, a specific location must be assigned for infectious waste from protective equipment and sanitary materials from health facilities, institutions, companies, homes, and quarantine areas for confirmed COVID-19 cases. 2.5.26 For final disposal, the burial method should be used through the construction of trenches or pits of a minimum 2 m width, 3 m length, and 2 m depth (size may change according to population and waste generation), considering that the water table level must be at 3.5 meters from the base of the trench or pit. At the end of each day, to inert the waste, it is sprayed with lime in any of its forms (quicklime or hydrated lime), then covered with 15 cm of soil (the cell must not be left with uncovered waste). Before the trench is filled, it is covered with a 40 cm layer of compacted soil such that it is level with the natural terrain to prevent dispersal and contact with this contaminated waste. If necessary, another trench is dug successively. It is important that due to the future presence of waste pickers at the dump, the area used for the disposal of COVID-19 waste must be marked or identified, preventing them from scavenging and recovering materials in said area. 2.5.27 For sites identified in the emergency for COVID waste, it cannot be used in the future for any other purpose and must be marked.

This Agreement is effective immediately and must be published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta". Given in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, on the tenth day (10) of the month of June of the year two thousand twenty (2020). COMMUNICATE AND PUBLISH. ING. ELVIS YOVANNI RODAS FLORES. Secretary of State, by Law in the Offices of Natural Resources and Environment (MY ENVIRONMENT) ABG. NARCISO E. MANZANARES R. General Secretary