Safe In 60: Protect Yourself, Others While Grocery Shopping

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Over the last couple of months, the way we do things has drastically changed. Especially grocery shopping.

Although there are many ways to do your shopping without leaving the house, for some of us that may not be possible. Here are some quick safety tips you can follow to help lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 while at the store.

Always plan your trip to the store to make it as efficient and safe as possible.

Before you leave your house:

• First, if you aren’t feeling well, or are coughing or sneezing, stay home.
• Minimize shopping trips – If delivery is not an option, try to limit shopping to once every week to 10 days or so.
• Leave the family at home – If you can, go alone. We all know our kids love to touch everything, and with only one person going, it helps keep social distancing
• Choose off hours – there are fewer people around and much easier to social distance.
• Make a list – Write down exactly what you need. This helps to get in and out quickly and prevents additional trips to the store for last minute items. Write a paper list so you aren’t increasing contamination from constantly touching your phone.
• Use drive through for prescriptions if available.

When entering the Store:

• You can choose to wear a pair of disposable gloves and mask to keep yourself extra safe once inside.
• Wipe down the shopping cart. Most stores provide wipes, and are cleaning their baskets regularly

While Shopping:

• Only buy what you need – Fight the temptation to panic shop. You may feel you need to stock up on supplies during times of uncertainty, but it’s not helpful. As we have all experienced over the last month, hoarding has caused temporary shortages of certain products. If you don’t need it, leave it for someone who does. The supply will return.
• Keep your Distance – Be patient and polite. Wait until others have moved away from past it before approaching. When checking out, make sure and give the person in front of you that 6 feet of distance.
• Only touch items you intend to buy – Try not to pick up items, read them and put them back.
• Keep your hands clean – If you aren’t wearing gloves, make sure to sanitize your hands often and refrain from touching your face.
• Use a non-contact payment method – If possible, use tap to pay. If you don’t have tap to pay, a credit card is still safer than handling cash for both you and the grocery store employee.
• Discard your disposable gloves when you leave, use hand sanitizer, then wash your hands as soon as you get home.