Safe Grocery Shopping During COVID-19

The pandemic has changed life in a lot of ways, and you might be wondering if it’s safe to do even the most basic errands. Getting groceries, picking up prescriptions, and going to the doctor might seem like dangerous activities to you now. But, if you know how to protect yourself and others, they don’t have to be a source of stress. For example, most grocery stores have installed plastic sneeze guards to protect their employees and customers from potential infection. If you follow suit and keep a few key points in mind, then you have a safe an enjoyable grocery experience.

Prep

You may be one of those people who enjoys roaming the grocery store and picking up whatever looks good, but this can cause some difficulties for workers and other customers in the COVID-19 world. The best way to get groceries now is to take some time to do a little preparation beforehand. Write out a list of things you need so you can go directly to them and leave the store when you’re done. It’s also best to only grab one or two weeks’ worth of food, because stocking up with large quantities can cause shortages and leave valuable items out of stock for others.

In the Store

The most important thing to remember while in any store is to wear a mask. This can greatly reduce your risk of spreading or receiving germs from others. Another good tip is to bring your own sanitation wipes, or use ones if provided, to clean off the shopping cart before you start shopping. You can simply wipe down the bar where your hands will go, as this is where you could most likely contract germs. Also, if you use reusable shopping bags, try to ensure they’re clean when you go to the store so you don’t spread germs to the cart. A good way to keep track of this is to wash them each week after you put away your groceries. Finally, be sure to practice social distancing while you shop. Instead of squeezing by someone to grab that carton of milk, come back to it later when the customer has moved on. This will help everyone feel safe and reduce the risk of spreading germs.

Some errands might feel dangerous or impossible with the current COVID restrictions, but if you follow these safety steps, you’ll be in the clear to go shopping in person.