by Brianna Crandall — April 21, 2021 — The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, has been making weekly announcements listing facilities across the US and around the world that have earned GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation to learn infection-fighting best practices and demonstrate their readiness to reopen for business. Facilities range from retail centers and commercial office buildings to airports and stadiums.
Successful GBAC STAR facilities are able to demonstrate that correct work practices, procedures and systems are in place to prepare, respond, and recover from outbreaks and pandemics.
GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger stated:
The GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program is used by facilities around the world to improve their cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention readiness. The accreditation seal is displayed everywhere from convention centers and airports to office buildings and schools to restaurants and retail facilities.
Accredited facilities follow GBAC STAR’s strict 20-step program, which includes the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and best practices to combat biohazards and infectious diseases, such as the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes Covid-19.
Highlights of the facilities newly accredited in recent weeks include:
Airports
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, MI
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (PANYNJ) in New York, NY
- LaGuardia Airport (PANYNJ) in New York, NY
- Newark Liberty International Airport (PANYNJ) in Newark, NJ
- New York Stewart International Airport (PANYNJ) in New Windsor, NY
- Pittsburgh International Airport Landside Terminal in Pittsburgh, PA
- Teterboro Airport (PANYNJ) in Teterboro, NJ
Commercial Offices
- Anago Cleaning Systems in Pompano Beach, FL
- Buz Expressions in Janesville, WI
- Colliers International Columbia in Bogota, Columbia
- Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. in Chicago, IL
- Partnership Tower in Houston, TX
Community Centers
- Edmonds Waterfront Center in Edmonds, WA
Expo and Convention Centers
- Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT
- Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs National Park, AR
- Infinite Energy Convention Center in Duluth, GA
- Italian Exhibition Group – Rimini Expo Centre in Rimini, Italy
- Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan
- Spokane Convention Center in Spokane, WA
- Utah Valley Convention Center in Provo, UT
Government Facilities
- Central Florida’s Visitor Information Center in Davenport, FL
- Destination El Paso Administration Building in El Paso, TX
Hotels
- Alila SCBD Jakarta in Jakarta, Indonesia
- Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD
- Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri, Cyprus
- Diamonds Dream of Africa in Malindi, Kenya
- Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Lantana, FL
- Embassy Suites Louisville Downtown in Louisville, KY
- Finca Serena Mallorca in Montuiri, Spain
- Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
- Grand Forest Metsovo in Metsovo, Greece
- Hemingway’s Nairobi in Nairobi Karen, North Korea
- Hotel Eclat Beijing in Beijing, China
- Hotel Orania Berlin in Berlin, Germany
- Hotel Unico Madrid in Madrid, Spain
- Hyatt House across from Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, FL
- Hyatt Regency Ludhiana in Ludhiana, India
- Iroquois Hotel in New York, NY
- Katikies Mykonos in Mykonos, Greece
- Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City in Salt Lake City, UT
- Lotte Hotel Moscow in Moscow, Russia
- Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa/Pellicano Hotels in Naples, Italy
- The Newbury Boston in Boston, MA
- Radisson Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
- Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV
- The Reverie Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Sheraton Redding at Sundial Bridge in Redding, CA
- Sublime Samana Hotel & Residence in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
- The Terrace Club at Busena in Okinawa, Japan
- Thorngrove Manor Hotel in Stirling, South Australia
K-12 School
- The Earth School in Kigali, Rwanda
Museums and Cultural Venues
- Grapevine Festival Grounds in Grapevine, TX
- Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, KY
Retail Facility
- 20 Hudson Yards, The Shops at Hudson Yards in New York, NY
- Roosevelt Collection Shops in Chicago, IL
Salon
- Salon Blanc in Honolulu, HI
Stadiums and Arenas
- Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, TX, the practice facility for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys
- ASM Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA, home to the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans
- Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, home to the NFL’s New England Patriots and the MLS’s New England Revolution
- American Family Field/Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club in Milwaukee, WI, home to the MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers
- Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, FL, home to the MLB’s Houston Astros and Washington Nationals during spring training
- ExtraMile Arena at Boise State University in Boise, ID
- Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, OH, home to the MLB’s Cincinnati Reds
- Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, AZ
- T-Mobile Park in Seattle, WA, home to the MLB’s Seattle Mariners
- Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
Theatres and Performing Arts Centers
- Palace Arts Centre in Grapevine, Texas
- Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, FL
- Byham Theater in Pittsburgh, PA
- Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago, IL
Now following GBAC STAR protocols, these facilities go beyond cleaning and disinfection to also include infection prevention best practices.
ISSA Executive Director John Barrett remarked:
GBAC STAR accredited facilities have the proper procedures, training, chemistry, equipment, tools, personal protective equipment, and infection control in place. Organizations around the world, including many professional sports venues, have found value in the program and are making facilities safer for everyone who walks through their doors.
Barrett continued:
Investing in cleaning, disinfecting, and infection prevention helps organizations reduce the risk of costly closures and outbreaks. By successfully completing the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation Program, facilities can ensure their cleaning staff understand how to properly address pathogens and uphold cleanliness.
Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation on the ISSA website.
Also find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory.
Composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response and recovery, GBAC provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises.
