What do you need to know about shopping during coronavirus?
Shopping during coronavirus is becoming an odyssey. These tips will help you to do it quickly, safely and responsibly.
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We are facing an exceptional situation at the moment and everyone who is able to is staying at home as a preventive measure against coronavirus. In fact, there is a movement to this effect which is known as #yomequedoencasa (#I’mstayingathome). But, even though we are at home, one of the essential and permitted things, in spite of the state of alert, is doing the shopping. It is in this situation when doubts arise: Can we go shopping like we did before? What measures should I take to go to the supermarket?
It is important to stress that the spread of Covid-19 does not occur from eating, according to the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), therefore, we shouldn’t worry when buying any food. What we should do is exercise caution when shopping, because the virus is spread through contact.
Although it isn’t compulsory to go to the supermarket with gloves and a mask, we should change certain habits to reduce the risk of infection. Below, we give you some advice to do your shopping quickly and safely:
1. Make a shopping list: set a weekly menu and write the list before leaving the house. You will save time and you will only buy what you need.
2. Choose the most suitable time: the ideal time is when there are less people. For this there is no fixed rule, each supermarket will have their peak hours, but you will adjust little by little. In any case, Consum is already limiting the capacity in its stores and taking all of the precautionary measures so that there is as little contact between customers and workers as possible.
3. One shop, one person: it is recommended that only one member of the family goes to do the shopping. The less people exposed, the better.
4. Take your bag from home: it is a way of ‘controlling’ exposure to the virus. In any case, if you use a shopping trolley or basket, wash your hands with soap or alcohol gel first and, when you finish, clean your hands again.
5. While shopping:
a) Keep a safe distance o 1 meter.
b) Don’t talk or cough near any product.
c) Do not touch food without gloves.
d) Go shopping on your own.
e) Use face mask, for everyone's safety.
Use your card, and avoid paying cash.
d) Try not to touch your face.
6. When it comes to paying, it’s best to use card: keep a distance of a metre and a half, between yourself and other customers as well as the checkout staff. And, if possible, pay by card. Coins can transmit the virus more easily due to the contact with more people.
7. And at home?: As soon as you arrive, it is advisable to wash your hands and put the shopping away. Afterwards, also wash the shopping bags at 60 degrees to remove any type of micro-organism. Of course, we should keep the house clean and disinfected at all times.
Buy responsibly, avoid panic buying and don’t contribute to food waste.
What happens if food runs out?
The supply to supermarkets is guaranteed and is taking place as normal, that’s why it is important for everyone to collaborate to share out the shopping and prevent panic buying.
