SHOPPING GUIDELINES
The Irish Global Health Network has issued guidelines to help you shop as safely as possible. It recommends the following:
Before shopping
Assess if you need to go or if you are feeling well. If you are a member of a vulnerable group, perhaps ask someone to shop for you or shop online.
Is your supermarket doing enough?
Is there appropriate signage in store reminding people to respect social distancing? Is entry controlled to prevent overcrowding? Are trolleys and baskets being sanitised? Is there hand sanitiser at the entrance? Are there screen shields in place to protect staff? Are baked goods covered? Is there a separate shopping time for the elderly and vulnerable?
Be sure to bring your own bags and use them to carry your items for purchase instead of a basket.
During shopping
Avoid peak shopping hours, where possible. Maintain a safe social distance of 2m from all shoppers and staff. Ask if your trolley or basket has been sanitised. Sanitise your hands, ideally with your own hand sanitiser. If you are planning to remain at home for long periods of time, consider buying nonperishable foods such as canned goods or dry mixes. Avoid touching things too much and don’t touch your mouth, nose or eyes. Make a contactless payment if possible. Sanitise your hands when leaving.
After shopping
If shopping for a vulnerable person, leave the shopping on the doorstep, ring the bell or phone them and stand back. Wash your hands immediately when you return home. Designate a cleared, disinfected area to sort out your shopping. Prior to stocking your fridges and cupboards, wipe shelving with sanitiser and a paper towel, then discard. Coronavirus can survive on hard surfaces, so wipe the outside of all canned or hard-surface pack goods (Tetra packs) with a paper towel or warm soapy water. Alternatively leave non-perishable foods in a safe place for 72 hours. Remove outer food packaging. Wipe down fridge and cupboard handles with sanitiser. Wash your hands again and put your shopping bags away.