Abstract: A germ decontamination apparatus includes an enclosure including an access door configurable to be in an open or closed position, an opening for positioning the enclosure over or around a fomite, opening means for opening the access door in response to a trigger or triggering event, one or more ultraviolet light sources disposed inside the enclosure and configured to decontaminate the fomite. The germ decontamination apparatus may include one or more sensors configured to detect a triggering event. The one or more sensors may include an obstruction sensor, a motion sensor or detector, a light sensor, a sound sensor, and/or a heat or infrared sensor. The access door may include one or more access panels. The one or more ultraviolet light sources may produce UV-C radiation with a wavelength in the range of 200-280 nm. Methods of use and systems comprising the germ decontamination apparatus are also provided.