Outpatient physicians are the frontline of the defence. For patients with no or mild symptoms, making an appointment for bone marrow and biopsy examinations after the end of the pandemic is recommended. For patients who are urgently require the above examinations, and who are without any other risk factors (recent contact history (within 14 days) of COVID-19/fever, older age, history of chronic diseases, etc.) [1], strict evaluation is required. COVID-19 screening including chest computed tomography (CT) scan [2], blood routine test, and COVID-19 nucleic acid and antibody detection test should be arranged by outpatient physicians. Only patients excluded from COVID-19 infection should make a further appointment for bone marrow examinations.

Body temperature measurement should be performed before patients’ access to the haematology laboratory. Any patients with body temperature above 37.3°C [3] should be escorted to the fever clinic for COVID-19 investigation. In addition to the conventional informed consent form for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy operation, a specialized consent form designed for the COVID-19 pandemic should also be signed by patients, in order to exclude relevant risk factors and tell them “things to note”.

Bone marrow aspiration can exclusively be performed after physicians’ double-check for the results from COVID-19 screening (results within 3 days) and informed consent forms have been signed.

Staff preparing for work should understand the principles of hand hygiene, standard protocols for the donning and doffing of protective clothing, zone divisions, disinfection norms, and disposal of medical waste. Training courses via the Internet on nosocomial and COVID-19 infection control are provided for everyone, ensuring that each staff member understands how to protect him/herself from infection by passing a test after training.

All laboratory staff, including medical technicians, should report the presence of abnormal symptoms [4] such as fever, fatigue, dry cough, pharyngalgia, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, etc. on a daily basis. Anyone with any of the above risk factors should be moved to the fever clinic immediately.

Hand hygiene should be strictly implemented according to the “six-step hand washing technique” [5]. Another option would be the application of quick-drying hand disinfectant for 2 min, but this cannot replace the “six-step hand washing technique”.

The staff, especially physicians and medical technicians who are in direct contact with patients, must be dressed in overalls as un underlayer with disposable waterproof isolation clothing/protective clothing on top, double latex gloves, N95 masks, goggles/protective face screen, and disposable head and shoe covers. Any of the items above should be replaced immediately if they become contaminated.

Food and drink are strictly forbidden in the working area.

Staff should be isolated at home during breaks; going out or attending gatherings should be minimized.

Operating materials. Disposable kits for bone marrow examination must be used for all patients.

Patient position. It is preferable to choose the posterior superior iliac spine as the site of operation, and it is better for the patient in the prone or lateral position instead of in the supine position (to minimize the chance of face-to-face contact).

Operator preparation. The operator should have second-level protection, and an assistant should be by his/her side.

Examinations can only be implemented by appointment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients for bone marrow examination should provide accurate personal information and results from COVID-19 screening.

Patients and their assistants in the waiting area of the laboratory must routinely wear masks [6], sterilize their hands, and measure their body temperature.

Patients and their assistants should go through a restricted lane; a “one-on-one” mode is preferable to patients and their assistants, in principle.

Air disinfection: keeping windows open to improve ventilation in wards is advisable - half an hour each time, twice a day. An air sterilizer can also be used as another option – 2 h each time, 4 times a day. Use of a central air-conditioning system is prohibited.

Cleaning and disinfection of object surfaces: according to the conventional disinfection method, chlorine-based disinfectant can be applied with an effective chlorine concentration – 1000 mg/l (spraying is prohibited), and disinfectant can be wiped away with fresh water after 30 min – at least twice a day.

Floor disinfection: chlorine-based disinfectant with a concentration of 2000 mg/l should be used to mop the floor; the disinfectant should be rinsed off with fresh water after 30 min – at least twice a day.

75% ethanol [7] or 1000 mg/l chlorine-based disinfectant can be adopted if there is no blood contamination on the surface of the equipment after treatment (spraying is prohibited).

If the equipment is contaminated by blood or secretions from COVID-19-infected patients (or susceptible patients), the contaminated surface should be cleaned with 2000–5000 mg/l chlorine-based disinfectant, left for 30 min, and then wiped off with 75% alcohol under proper protective conditions.

Hospitals are particularly hazardous areas; haematology patients should be lectured on self-protection due to their low immunity.

Highly visible signs should be posted to warn of the dangers posed by moving around the hospital.

A higher frequency of disinfection in the working environment and for medical equipment is strongly advised after performing operations on COVID-19-positive patients.