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Frequent Questions Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

View frequently asked questions related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and find key EPA resources.

Disinfectants
Drinking Water
Emergency Management
Grants
Indoor Air
Questions from State, Local and Tribal Leaders
Wastewater and Septic Systems
Waste

Disinfectants

Can I use common household substances to kill the novel coronavirus?

How can members of my household use disinfectants properly to control COVID-19 if a family member is asthmatic or has other chronic respiratory disease?

Can disinfectant products be used on people?

Can I apply a product using a method that is not specified in the directions for use?

Why aren’t ozone generators, UV lights, or air purifiers on List N? Can I use these or other pesticidal devices to kill the virus that causes COVID-19?

View all frequent questions about disinfectants and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Drinking Water

What should I do If I’m concerned about my drinking water?

What is EPA’s role in ensuring drinking water remains safe?

Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water?

Is drinking tap water safe?

Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?

View all frequent questions about drinking water and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Emergency Management

What can communities do to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in cleaner air spaces and cleaner air shelters for wildfire smoke during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Grants

Is EPA providing any flexibility with respect to submission of assistance agreement forms/documents that traditionally have required wet ink signatures?

May EPA waive prior approval requirements specified at 2 CFR 200.407 if a waiver is necessary to address COVID-19 related concerns?

What documentation does EPA require for resumption of non-competitive awards?

Can the Office of Grants and Debarment (OGD) provide exceptions on a case by case basis if a recipient believes a regulatory exception is necessary due to the impacts of COVID19?

Are flexibilities that EPA approved prior to OMB rescinding M-20-17 or M-20-20 withdrawn?

View all frequent questions about grants and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Indoor Air

Will running an evaporative cooler (sometimes known as a "swamp cooler") or whole-house fan help protect me and my family from COVID-19?

Will running a window air conditioner help protect me and my family from COVID-19?

Is ventilation important for indoor air quality when cleaning and/or sanitizing for COVID-19 indoors?

Will an air cleaner or air purifier help protect me and my family from COVID-19 in my home?

Can running the HVAC system in my home help protect me from COVID-19?

View all frequent questions about indoor air and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Questions from State, Local and Tribal Leaders

For federally required licenses and certifications will there be temporary waivers of continuing education or other conditions of certification that would be difficult or impossible to meet due to social distancing?

Will there be flexibility regarding inspection requirements under EPA grants to states, tribes or local governments such as those relating to RCRA large quantity generators, 3-year periodic inspection of USTs, and similar inspection requirements incorporated into the terms of EPA grants?

Will there be flexibility with regard to public notice requirements for permits, etc.? (Par ex. Public meetings prohibited; libraries closed)

How do we avoid losing funds already received for projects that might be delayed?

Might any gap funding be made available to states to cover temporary delays and reductions in state tax collections and expected reductions in fees and other special revenue due to decreased economic activity during the emergency?

View all Frequent Questions from State, Local and Tribal Leaders about Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Wastewater and Septic Systems

Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?

Will my septic system treat COVID-19?

Do wastewater treatment plants treat COVID-19?

Is it okay to flush disinfecting wipes?

Can I get COVID-19 from wastewater or sewage?

View all frequent questions about wastewater and septic systems and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Waste

Has EPA developed guidance to help ensure public participation in the Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) approval process when in-person meetings are not possible?

Has EPA developed guidance to help ensure public participation when in-person meetings for the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program are not possible?

Will there be flexibility with regard to public meetings as part of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) approval process since public meetings are prohibited in a lot of states due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency?

Will there be flexibility with regard to public involvement requirements for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permits since public meetings are prohibited in a lot of states due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency?

Because of the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and business issues, are generators being allowed more than 90 days to have waste removed because of contractor issues? If so, can you provide guidance?

View all frequent questions about waste and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Federal Resources Related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Biden-Harris Plan to Beat COVID-19: Review details of the Biden-Harris plan to beat COVID-19 and download The National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness.
Coronavirus.gov: Public information provided by the U.S. government related to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Current public health and safety information on COVID-19.
CDC Easy to Read COVID-19 Safety Information: Easy to read information about COVID-19 prevention, testing, and treatment.
USA.gov Coronavirus: What the U.S. government is doing in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). View en español.
Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions: Interagency website, organized by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, for definitive information on the public’s most frequently asked questions.
Leading a Coordinated Civil Rights Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19): U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) statement and resource guide meant to assist Federal agencies, state and local governments, and recipients of Federal financial assistance in addressing ongoing civil rights challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEMA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response: Updates on federal partners working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a whole-of-America response to the pandemic.
FEMA Rumor Control: A resource helping the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.