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10 Ways to stay safe when shopping for household essentials

10 May 2020
by Glynis Horning

Going shopping has become a welcome relief for many from the boredom and isolation of lockdown, but it’s important to take steps to stay safe.

When you need to go shopping, plan and make a list so you make as few trips as possible. Ordering online for home delivery is safest, or arranging to do a quick pick-up if you can.

Every trip that puts you among other people puts you at risk of infection by the novel coronavirus, spread by infected people when they cough, sneeze or talk. The droplets can hang in the air where you may breathe them in, or they can settle on surfaces, or be transferred there by touch, where they can infect you if you, in turn, touch them – and then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

It should go without saying that you must not go out shopping if there’s the smallest chance you may be infected, but many people are asymptomatic yet still carry the virus. It’s safest to act as though you, and everyone you see, could be infected.

Choose your shopping hours wisely

Shop during hours when there are likely to be the fewest people, usually early or late; take advantage of special shopping times for the elderly and more vulnerable.

Make smart hygiene choices

Wear a cloth mask and take sanitiser or disinfecting wipes; use a plastic shopping bag rather than a fabric one, it’s easier to wipe-down afterwards.

Keep your distance

Keep at least 1-2 metres from other people, whether in queues or browsing the aisles. 

Sanitise frequently

Sanitise your hands once you’re in the store, to protect yourself and other shoppers.

Think about your basket or trolley

Wipe down the basket or trolley. 

Don't touch more than you need to

When choosing items, make up your mind before taking anything from a shelf – the fewer items you handle, the less your exposure to the virus, and the exposure of other people.

Choose contactless payment options

Try to use touchless payment; if you must handle money, a card, or a keypad, use hand sanitiser straight afterwards.

Be reponsible when leaving the store

When you leave the store, sanitise your hands again.

Don't forget about your car

Back home, sanitise the car steering wheel, door handles and any other features you may have touched.

Unpack your groceries wisely

Place your shopping backs on one side of a kitchen table or counter. To be extra safe, after washing your hands thoroughly with soap, remove items one at a time, discarding whatever outside packaging you can (such as cereal boxes).

Wipe down everything else with a diluted bleach solution (the Centers for Disease Control suggests 4 teaspoons of bleach per litre of water). Place each clean item on the other side of the table or counter. The UN Children’s Fund advises washing unpackaged vegetables and fruit well under running water.

Wash your hands well again with soap.

The reassuring news is that the CDC reports that so far ‘there is no evidence that food or food packaging has been linked to getting sick from Covid-19, but it’s best to take no chances.

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com