During the current COVID-19 pandemic, one of the major challenges people face is managing grocery shopping safely. Groceries are essential for daily living, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of contracting the virus through these items.
The virus that causes COVID-19 can live on surfaces, including groceries, for up to 72 hours. By taking extra precautions, you can reduce your exposure risk. Healthcare experts provide some simple tips to keep you safe.
### Tips to Protect Yourself from Grocery Store Workers and Other Shoppers
1. **Plan Ahead**: Make a shopping list in advance to avoid last-minute rushes.
2. **Buy What You Need**: Purchase enough groceries for one to two weeks to prevent market shortages and price hikes.
3. **Wear a Mask**: Always cover your nose and mouth with a mask while at the store, following government guidelines.
4. **Clean Your Cart**: Wipe down shopping cart or basket handles with store-provided wipes or your own. Wash reusable bags before each use.
5. **Maintain Distance**: Stay at least 6 feet away from others, including store employees and other shoppers.
6. **Hygiene**: Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after returning from the store.
### Food Safety Practices to Prevent Illnesses
1. **Wash Produce**: Clean fruits and vegetables under running tap water, even if you don’t eat the skins.
2. **Freeze Perishables**: Unpack and freeze items like meat, eggs, and seafood within two hours of purchase.
3. **Sanitize Surfaces**: Daily clean kitchen tops and counters with a commercial disinfectant or a homemade solution (5 tablespoons unscented bleach to 1 gallon of water).
4. **Follow Basic Food Safety**: Stick to the basics—Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.
### Handling Groceries at Home
Wipe down or wash cans and food boxes before storing them. Dispose of disposable packaging immediately. Clean and sanitize countertops and other surfaces where groceries were placed.
### Additional Shopping Tips
1. **Designate One Shopper**: Preferably, the healthiest family member should do the shopping.
2. **Use Hand Sanitizer**: Regularly sanitize your hands while shopping.
3. **Cashless Payments**: Opt for cashless payment methods to reduce contact.
4. **Leave Bags Outside**: If possible, leave shopping bags outside your home to minimize virus transmission.
5. **Wash Up**: After shopping, wash your hands thoroughly and change your clothes.
### Risk Associated with Groceries
The highest risk comes from crowded supermarkets where maintaining social distance is challenging. Always assume surfaces are contaminated and avoid touching your face after contact. Use hand sanitizer frequently and clean cart and basket handles before use.
By following these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus while handling groceries. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.