8 Best Ways To Protect Yourself From The Spread Of Covid-19 While Grocery Shopping

The world is still fighting with coronavirus since its inception in 2019. This pandemic has restricted our stepping out of our houses. It is very important to protect yourself from this deadly virus. Regardless of any pandemic, you still need to carry on with your daily activities, And grocery shopping is one of the important activities in your life. But you must take precautions while going grocery shopping. To avoid these circumstances, it is suggested to buy groceries from online shopping.

The government has issued various guidelines and advisories for those who step out of their houses for grocery shopping. To keep yourself safe, you need to follow all these guidelines. These guidelines will restrict the spread of coronavirus. Many grocery stores and supermarkets are also taking precautions to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

This article will guide you through the steps you need to follow while going out grocery shopping.

Precautions To Take Care For Shopping Groceries

Preventing the spread of the coronavirus is very important; you must be aware of the steps you need to follow to protect yourself and your family from this deadly virus.

1. Plan Before You Go For Shopping

With the fast spreading of the coronavirus, you must prevent going outside of your houses. It will keep you safe. And if there is a need to go out shopping or any other work, you must plan smartly, saving your time and preventing you from going out frequently.

You need to plan your meal for one or two weeks to buy the groceries and vegetables according to your menu and store them. It will reduce the time you spend outside your house and will also keep you organized. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has asked people not to buy more vegetables or food than their requirement. If you more food than your requirement, it will create unnecessary demand and shortages. Also, check the timing of the grocery store or the supermarket before you go shopping.

2. Precautions To Follow Before Shopping

It is widely advised to stay indoors if your age is above 60 years or you have some chronic diseases like high blood pressure or diabetics, as you are at a higher risk of developing Covid-19 symptoms. Always try to prevent taking your kid with you while you go shopping. You must wear a facemask and sanitize your hands properly before stepping out of your house. And keep a hand sanitizer with you at all times when you are away from home.

Most people think wearing a glove will prevent spreading the virus, but gloves can spread the virus easier than bare hands. Simply washing your hands with soap before and after shopping will protect you from contracting the virus.

3. Precautions You Need To Take While Shopping

The government has also issued guidelines for stores and supermarkets to follow during operating hours. They need to ensure that social distancing is being maintained, and they must provide hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes at the entrance. If they do not give, then use your hand sanitizer before entering the store. You can also sanitize the handle of the cart you need for shopping.

Always, try to buy the fruits and vegetables which are pre-packed in plastic or paper bags. If you need to use your mobile phone for calls, try using it on speaker and prevent it from touching your face. Do not forget to sanitize your hands at a regular interval while you are shopping inside the store. While making the payment, please try to use credit cards and avoid using cash to prevent human contact. Once you are done with your shopping, don’t forget to sanitize your hands again.

4. Wash Your Vegetables And Fruits Before Storing Them

There has always been a question among consumers if the virus can spread through food, fruits, and vegetables. According to WHO (World Health Organization), there is no evidence of coronavirus spreading through food. But it is advisable to wash your hands properly before unpacking your groceries and vegetables.

You must wash the fruits and vegetables properly after unpacking them unless they are pre-packed with plastic or paper bag. If you have bought meat, fish, or seafood, try to freeze them within two hours of purchase. And do not forget to wash the reusable bags you use for shopping after unpacking the groceries.

5. Shop From Online Stores

It is always better to shop from online stores during this pandemic. It is safe and has less human contact than buying from grocery stores and supermarkets. Many online stores are following safety guidelines while delivering groceries. Their delivery agents are properly sanitized, and their body temperature is checked before they leave for any delivery.

You can also ask the delivery agent to place your order outside your door without making any human contact. You can also pay online for your purchase. With online grocery shopping, you can save money as well as earn cashback. And don’t forget to sanitize your hands before receiving the order and wash the vegetables and fruits properly after unpacking.

6. Precautions To Follow While Shopping At The Local Market

If you don’t want to go to supermarkets to avoid crowding, it is advisable to shop from your local farmers’ market. Here, you can get vegetables and fruits fresh and at a lower price than the supermarkets. By purchasing at the farmers' market, you can save a lot of money. Farmers’ markets, the fruits, and vegetables are stored openly; you need to sanitize your hands before picking up the fruits and vegetables. 

Always remember to wear a facemask while you are at the local farmers’ market. And wash the vegetables properly after unpacking them at your home. There is a misconception that you can sanitize your fruits and vegetables, avoid doing this step. It is dangerous and can cause damage to your health. You can prevent the spreading of coronavirus just by washing the vegetables and fruits properly after unpacking them.

7. Sanitize And Change Your Clothes When You Reach Home

It is a good practice to remove your shoes when you come from the grocery store. You should also change your clothes and keep them in a separate place away from regular laundry. It will prevent the spreading of the virus inside your house as kids will crawl on the floor and touch you; it is a good practice to sanitize yourself properly before you contact any of your family members.

8. Precautions To Follow While You Are Traveling To Grocery Stores

It is safe to travel through private transportation rather than taking any public transportation during this pandemic. But before you plan to take a trip to the grocery store for shopping, make sure you sanitize your car’s steering wheel and seats properly. If you are taking any public transportation, please make sure that you maintain social distancing, and if there is a rush and more crowded, you can always wait for the next ride. These practices will ensure that you are safe while you are traveling as well. By this, you can get rid of fake online deals.

You should always try to avoid using cash while making payments at the counter of grocery stores. While taking out money at the ATM, you should always wear a face mask and sanitize your hands before and after using the ATMs.

Bottom Line

As we all know, this pandemic has affected our lives and society in a very negative way. We have lost our dear ones to this pandemic. You must always be aware of the safety precautions while going shopping; this will save you and your family from this deadly virus. Always try to follow the government guidelines and ensure that stores are also following the safety guidelines.