The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released tips for minimizing everyday risks of getting and spreading COVID-19, including tips for
grocery shopping.
In general, the CDC says, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Read about the 15 questions to ask yourself before venturing out during the COVID-19 pandemic
here.
Here are 13 tips from the CDC to help you maintain social distancing while you pick up supplies.
1. Avoid shopping if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
2. Order food and other items online for home delivery or curbside pickup (if possible).
3. Only visit the grocery store, or other stores selling household essentials, in person when you absolutely need to. This will limit your potential exposure to others and the virus that causes COVID-19.
4. Stay at least 6 feet away from others while shopping and in lines.
5. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.
6. When you do have to visit in person, go during hours when fewer people will be there (for example, early morning or late night).
7. If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for people at higher risk. If they do, try to shop during those hours. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.
8. Disinfect the shopping cart, use disinfecting wipes if available.
9. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
10. If possible, use touchless payment (pay without touching money, a card, or a keypad). If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer right after paying.
11. After leaving the store, use hand sanitizer.
12. When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
13. When you get home, follow the CDC's food safety guidelines:
clean, separate, cook, chill. There is no evidence that food or food packaging play a significant role in spreading the virus in the United States, read more about COVID-19 spread
here.
undefined