Here’re some safety measures and precautions to take while shopping
The Covid-19 pandemic has wrecked a havoc in all our lives. With norms of social distancing still in place, we do think twice before stepping out of the safety of our houses.
For most of us, going out still seems difficult, even if it has to be for groceries. But at the same time we do have to pacify the fear in our minds and get back to our day to day routine.
Dr Rachit Bhushan (MBBS, diabetologist) has shared tips and precautions that we can take while stepping out to buy daily needs.
“The pandemic has created a fear among the minds of people and since the cases are rising constantly in India, the fear of contracting the virus is still there. With Unlock 1.0, it is important for us to gradually ease off this fear and panic,” says Dr Rachit.
■ Wear a Mask:
Those who are visiting grocery shops or stores to purchase essential goods, they should always wear a face mask in order to prevent transmission. If possible, use face shields as well as a precautionary measure.
■ Carry your own sanitizer: It is very
essential to carry your own bottle of sanitizer, even if the stores are providing it.
■ Promote digital payments:
Another vulnerable activity is the billing counter at the supermarkets, hence people should opt for digital payments.
■ Social distancing:
While shopping in the store, keep a distance of at least two feet from other shoppers and the staffers.
■ Wash your hands:
Once you are back home after the shopping, wash your hands for 20 seconds with water and soap after you put away your groceries.
■ Elders should avoid stepping out: Elders above
age 60 and children below age of 10 should not go out for any of the reasons.
■ Plan your visit:
Plan when you want to go out to buy essentials. Keep a list on your phone of everything you need and then go out to buy things.
If you step out of the house while keeping these precautions in mind, your shopping experience will be safer and fear free. Even store owners are ensuring safety of their customers by making square marks at the entrance and only allowing limited number of people inside the store through token system.
Param Makhija, owner of a grocery store in Delhi’s Model Town, has been keeping extra masks at the entry of his store in order to ensure no one enters without a mask.
“We are allowing only five people at a time inside the store and have made circles outside the store, so that there is no crowding. The employees at the store are instructed to not let anyone in if the person is not wearing a mask. In case a person comes without a mask, then we have spare masks at the entry of our store, so that he/she can wear one and then enter,” says Param.