More people are shopping online than ever before to avoid visiting grocery stores and other shopping centers.
While this may be great at limiting your exposure to coronavirus, there are still steps you need to protect yourself from COVID-19 when shopping online.
Protecting Yourself During Delivery
If you are getting your groceries delivered there are a few things you need to do to protect yourself during the delivery process as well, not just when putting the items away.
Even if a warehouse or grocery store is disinfecting on a regular basis, you still might want to take a few precautions.
These precautions include:
- Avoid Direct Hand Off – Instead of greeting the delivery person at your door, arrange to have the items dropped off at your door step instead or a place nearby that you can pick them up.
- Give Your Tip Electronically – One of the benefits of online deliveries is that you don’t need to give the delivery person their tip directly. Most of the delivery apps and ordering systems provide a way to tip the delivery person within the app.
- Order Earlier Than Normal – You may discover that if you order during peak times you may have to wait longer to receive your items. Delivery times may also be limited, items limited, or even both. So, plan ahead and allow for these delays.
Picking Up Prepacked Groceries
The precautions listed above are pretty much the same for this delivery option.
If you have ordered groceries for pick up, consider opening your car door or trunk instead of having the employee touch your car handle. If the employee is allowed a tip, be sure to tip on their app as opposed to handing over cash directly to the employee. (FYI – Walmart employees are not allowed to accept tips.)
If Buying in Store
If you are planning on going into the store to pick up your groceries, there are also a few precautions you should consider:
- Practice Social Distancing - Stay at least six feet away from other people. According to the CDC this is the general distance within which people can be exposed to the droplets that carry coronavirus.
- Shop When It’s Less Busy – If you search a store’s name and location in Google it will often show you times that are busiest. Try to avoid these times. Many stores are also offering specific shopping times that are only available to senior citizens or those shoppers who are most at risk.
- Wear a Face Covering – Although wearing a face mask is voluntary, the CDC says that these face coverings can help prevent the spread of the virus.
- Take Hand Sanitizer with You – Use the germicide to wipe your hands and the cart before and after you shop.
- Pay with a Credit or Debit Card – By using this payment method, you won’t have to receive any change from the cashier. Use your own pen to sign receipts, and if you can, consider using a virtual payment system such as Apple Pay so you don’t have to use your wallet at all.
Stick with the tips above and you'll be prepared for your next grocery trip, whether it be online or in person.
