How to safely shop for groceries
during the COVID-19 pandemic
Businesses remain closed as the coronavirus spreads and more states issue “stay at home” orders in which residents are ordered to shelter in place except in limited circumstances.
One of those exceptions is going to the grocery store. Many supermarkets have implemented new store hours to cater to the most vulnerable and have taken extra precautions to reduce the risk of transmission.
But there’s still a chance of getting infected. The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, warned Tuesday that about approximately a quarter of people infected with the coronavirus may not show any symptoms.
Experts recommend shoppers take the following precautions to stay safe while grocery shopping:
Best time to go
Many grocery store chains have special hours for the elderly and those who are immunocompromised or have more than one disease.
Lauren Sauer, director of operations for Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, said that if you don’t fall into one of these groups, then it’s important stay away from the grocery store during those hours to avoid putting the vulnerable at risk.
Seek out grocery stores that are implementing cleaning procedures and enforcing social distancing practices. If a grocery store looks busy, then find another one or come back another day.
Things to bring with you
Ann Marie Pettis, president-elect of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, said it doesn’t hurt to bring a homemade cloth mask.
Also bring an alcohol-based sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, if available, to wipe down high-touch surfaces such as shopping cart handles, baskets and even pin pads at self-checkout kiosks. But other than that, Sauer says, bring as little as possible.
Not much is known about how the virus develops in children, but experts say leaving kids at home reduces the number of people in a store at one time.
An extension of social distancing
Continue to practice social distancing in any enclosed space, including the grocery store.
Some supermarkets have set up lines on the floor so shoppers can have a visual representation of social distancing at 6 feet. Other stores have designated aisles that flow traffic in a single direction to avoid shoppers from passing one another.
Sauer also recommends avoiding busy aisles and standing 6 feet away from the person in front of you at the checkout line.
Payment methods
The safest way to pay for your grocery items is through mobile pay apps on your phone, such as Apple or Google Pay. If that isn’t an option, using a credit or debit card is safer than cash.
“Theoretically, it makes sense that the less handling of stuff, the better,” Pettis said.
How much to buy and how often to go
Shoppers shouldn’t frequent the grocery store every day and should limit their time there.
Sauer warns against emptying shelves and hoarding behaviors because there are families who don’t have the financial flexibility of stocking up for two weeks. It’s recommended to buy groceries for no more than two weeks and visiting the store a maximum of one or two days a week.
Pettis recommends having a grocery list to know exactly what you need and how much of it to reduce time browsing. She also advises running other errands during the same trip, so you’re not leaving the house multiple days in the week.
What to wash when you get home
Many experts say it’s not necessary to wipe down items in your grocery bag. Wash your hands anytime you’re coming from outside into the house, even if you use hand sanitizer in the car after leaving the grocery store. Dispose of plastic or paper bags and wipe down the countertop after unpacking the groceries. Launder reusable or cloth shopping bags after every use. Fruits and vegetables should always be washed with water. Wash your hands throughout the process: before and after putting away the groceries, before washing fruit, after wiping down high-touch surface areas and, of course, before preparing a meal.
Other ways to shop
Grocery delivery services or curbside pickup are good ways to avoid the grocery store, especially for shoppers who are more vulnerable to the virus. Not only does it limit your exposure to the virus, but Sauer said it’s also a good option for those who are sick and want to limit their exposure to other people. If delivery or curbside services aren’t possible, Sauer encourages people to shop for friends and family members who are elderly or ill.