Going to grocery store during coronavirus outbreak? Here are tips for shopping safely

As coronavirus spreads across the U.S., people are staying home and avoiding non-essential activities in the name of social distancing and flattening the curve.

To help, many retailers and restaurants have rolled out home delivery along with contactless options, leaving food orders and grocery deliveries on door steps.

But for some, home delivery isn’t an option and at some point you may need to go to the grocery store to stock up on food and supplies. What can you do to help protect yourself?

Try these tips for shopping safely at the store amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Shop during less crowded times of day

If possible, avoid going to the grocery store during busy times of day and don’t go daily, Good Housekeeping reported. If you see someone you know, nod or wave from afar and avoid hugs and handshakes.

Don’t know when your grocery store is busy? Try typing its name and location into Google — a graph may appear showing the store’s busiest times, according to Consumer Reports.

Take advantage of ‘senior hours’

In an effort to keep crowds away, some stores set aside time called “senior hours” especially for older shoppers who are at higher risk of severe symptoms related to COVID-19, The Mercury News reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize people age 65 and older as higher risk for severe illness.

Contact your local grocery store for more information.

Look, don’t touch

Don’t pick up an item you aren’t sure you’re going to buy, according to The Mercury News. Instead, do your best to read the label without touching.

When you pick up an item, be sure not to touch your face, eyes and nose after, Good Housekeeping reported.

Thinking of trying gloves? Don’t bother.

“If your gloves touch a contaminated product, they will just contaminate the next thing that is touched,” according to Good Housekeeping. “Just shop with caution.”

And of course, be sure to wipe down your cart or basket with sanitizing wipes before shopping, The Mercury News reported.

Don’t use cash

Use your debit or credit card at grocery stores to avoid exchanging cash with the cashier, according to Consumer Reports. Virtual payment options such as ApplePay are even better so you don’t have to pull out your wallet.

If you have to sign a receipt, be sure to use your own pen, the outlet reported.

Clean your goods after purchase

When you get home from the grocery store, you’ll need to disinfect your purchases, according to Consumer Reports.

Use dish soap to wash plastic, glass and metal containers, and wash produce with soap and water to help eliminate any live virus that might be on the surface, the outlet reported.

Also be sure to wash your hands after opening any containers, including cardboard boxes, according to Consumer Reports.

A preliminary study found that coronavirus could survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours.

After you’ve put your groceries away, wash your counters and any other surfaces you’ve touched, Consumer Reports reported.

This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 9:55 AM with the headline "Going to grocery store during coronavirus outbreak? Here are tips for shopping safely."