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How Can You Stay Safe While Shopping Grocery - 10 Precautionary Tips

By Vikas Chandra Das
16 August 2022, 4:46 PM

The majority of nations have been forced to lock down their cities or hotspots because to the enormous threat posed by the new coronavirus pandemic brought on by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has been suggested that people stay at home, use social distancing, and take care of their personal sanitation. Due to the nationwide lockdown, all Indians were only allowed to leave their homes in cases of emergency or to buy necessities. Additionally, in order to prevent yourself and others from contracting the extremely contagious sickness, you now need to abide by certain rules set by the government while purchasing groceries in-store. 

10 Top Tips for Staying Safe While Buying Basics During COVID-19

A new virus that has been deemed a pandemic may have left some people still trying to figure out how to follow the rules when buying food or other necessities. Though we have health insurance covering medical conditions occurring due to this virus, here are some crucial coronavirus safety recommendations for when you shop for necessities during COVID-19.

1. Plan in Advance

Plan ahead by creating a list of what is needed for the upcoming day, week, or month so you have it on hand when you decide to go out to buy food. To prevent making many trips to the grocery store, make a list of everything you intend to buy.

2. Take your Own Bag Along

Do not rely on the store to give you a bag; bring your own. Try to avoid going outside at busy times. Make sure the necessities you purchase are fresh and will last at least a week or two.

3. A Mask is a Must!

When you leave the house, wear a mask over your mouth and nose. By doing this, you can avoid breathing in any viruses that might be spread by an infected person's cough or sneeze.

4. Prefer Going Alone

It is simpler to maintain social distance if you go alone rather than tagging along with othersothers, since doing so will put pressure on the rules that are observed in public areas. Avoid roaming in groups or couples as social distancing makes it challenging to maintain a lengthy line.

5. Follow the Six Feet Distance Rule

The virus, which has a 2-meter range, may be present in cough or sneeze droplets or discharges from the mouth or nose. Make sure to keep 6 feet between you and other customers. Place yourself in line and wait for your turn.

6. Avoid Stocking Things

Avoid buying things in a hurry that you don't actually need. Hoarding food items will cause an imbalance in the supply and demand of products, as there may be others who need them.

7. Better to Carry your Own Sanitisers Along

You might bring disinfectant like an alcohol-based hand-rub as a precaution. When shopping, it might not be possible to wash your hands constantly; as a result, using a hand sanitizer might make it simpler to disinfect your hands.

8. Wash Hands Frequently

Handwashing regularly is the most important and fundamental necessity to prevent the deadly COVID-19 virus from spreading. When you get home after food shopping, this becomes even more crucial. To minimise your chances of catching the virus, it is advised that you wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. To properly clean your hands, use soap.

9. Prefer Contactless Purchasing

The possibility exists that contactless buying will limit the virus's transmission. Choose it if the supermarket or local food shop offers this facility to prevent having to go to other locations to get necessities. This benefits both the store's staff and other customers.

10. Also, Contactless Payment

There are new payment methods available, such as touchless or contactless machines. As a result, you won't need to enter your pin manually to complete the payment. If not, be careful to wash your hands or sanitise them with a hand sanitiser that contains alcohol.

Read more - Top #5 Smart Things to Know About Optimizing Your Health Insurance Benefits

Some Precautions You Must Take While Taking Online Deliveries

Even if it may be necessary for you to go outdoors and get the necessities, online delivery has significantly improved over the past few years. It is usually preferable to limit your time spent in public. The following are some safety recommendations for receiving delivery or takeout orders:

1. Ensure Making Less Direct Contact

Accept delivery with as little human touch as possible. Request that the delivery team place the product in a secure location outside your home. While receiving the order, make an effort to adhere to the 2-meter rule.

2. Washing Hands After Taking the Dilivery

After accepting the delivery, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or sterilise them with a 60 percent alcohol-based hand rub. By doing this, the risk of getting the virus will be lower.

3. Online Bill Payment

It is wise to make your payment online rather than to choose paying in cash. It will eliminate the possibility of contracting the virus while doing business with the delivery person.

We also urge you to concentrate on the necessity of having a healthcare insurance in order to combat the epidemic. It is advised that in addition to taking the aforementioned actions, one should think about purchasing a health insurance that is appropriate and covers costs associated with the coronavirus sickness.

Not only will it spare you from financial hardship during tough situations, but it will also guarantee that you receive treatment at the top facilities in India.

Conclusion

We hope that this information will enable you to continue making thoughtful and secure grocery purchases because food is a source of comfort as well as sustenance for you and your family, notably at this time!

Read more - Benefits of Health Insurance in India

FAQs

1. Are food items susceptible to coronavirus contamination?

Currently, there is no proof that COVID-19 may be transmitted through food. When heated to a level similar to that which kills other known viruses and germs present in food, the COVID-19 virus can be destroyed.

2. Can I get the coronavirus via food packaging or containers?

There is currently no proof that food packaging or containers carry coronavirus unless it’s fallen on the packages through a contaminated person’s cough or sneezing. To guarantee you get rid of any viral illness, you must wash your hands with soap and water.

3. Are there any coronavirus regulations for retailers, eateries, or producers of basic goods?

Guidelines for food enterprises have been provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), particularly during the current coronavirus epidemic. You can also visit the FDA guidelines to understand more about it.

4. Is the coronavirus capable of surviving on surfaces?

It is unknown how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it appears to behave similarly to other coronaviruses.

The duration of survival is determined by a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity, and virus strain.

5. How is the COVID-19 virus spread?

COVID-19 spreads through the air when people breathe in droplets or small airborne particles containing the virus. 

The risk of inhaling these is greatest when people are close together, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, especially indoors. 

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