After the ease in curfew timings, one of the most common issues arising in the minds of the people is how to buy the groceries items safely.?
keeping that in mind, we have prepared a list, by gathering the information from experts’ recommendations on safe shopping. We are also going to share the tips on how to clean and disinfect your groceries, and what items can and cannot be safely disinfected.
Buy Groceries Using Super Stores Apps.
The Interior Ministry of Saudi Arab recommends using a delivery app to buy groceries. There are many supermarkets offering home delivery such as Panda and Danube. Along with that Food Delivery apps such as Carriage, HungerStation, Mrsool, and Nana Direct are also handy reducing the risk of catching the deadly coronavirus.
However, if it is a must to visit the shops and malls, then you can visit them between 9 am to 5 pm as announced by the ministry, a special initiative facilitating residents and nationals during the holy month of Ramadan.
If you are using a vehicle then only two persons are allowed. The stores are also acting upon the instructions by the ministry, of social distancing and keeping a limited number of people inside the store. So you may have to wait for your turn to enter the shop.
The Saudi Center For Disease Control (CDC) recommends practicing social distancing by keeping a minimum distance of 2 meters from other persons at all times. The CDC also recommends wearing a mask and gloves while you shop. Shoppers should be careful not to touch their face or phone while wearing gloves, to minimize the risk of catching the deadly infection.
It also recommends preparing a shopping list before going to the supermarket, and avoiding browsing, lingering and touching items you do not intend to buy. Taking exactly what you need and leaving quickly is the best way to shop in person.
Other recommendations include not to touch your mobile phone while shopping. The touching with contaminated hand even using gloves may increase the risk of getting COVID-19.
Try to use a cashless payment method (ATM, Debit, or Credit Card) to avoid touching money physically; and disinfecting your car boot space as soon as you get home with the groceries.
Let’s Disinfect groceries at home
“My husband goes once a week to do the shopping, and when he comes back he leaves the groceries for me by the kitchen door,” Dr. Haya, an assistant professor of public health, described how she disinfects her groceries.
“We’ve designated a specific countertop for grocery items, which is regularly disinfected after use.”
Zedan recommends discarding plastic bags and exterior packaging if possible. “We leave the plastic bags outside the house and throw them away immediately,” she explained.
“Anything with packaging that can be thrown away, like boxes that contain smaller milk boxes or water bottles, we also discard.”
For packaging that cannot be discarded, such as plastic bags of pasta or glass bottles of juice, Dr. Haya wipes it down with Clorox wipes or a designated towel sprayed with disinfectant and leaves them to air dry. “Don’t forget to disinfect the sink afterward,” she added.
Never spray Fruit and vegetables with bleach or disinfectant, but safely wash them and scrubbed with regular soap and water.
“Aside from the fact that I have kids at home, a lot of why I’m overly careful with my groceries is for psychological reasons,” she added.
“However, I recommend buying in small quantities because washed fruit and vegetables spoil faster,” she said.
Eggs can be carefully washed with normal soap and water, a few at a time to avoid cracking the shells.
“Aside from the fact that I have kids at home, a lot of why I’m overly careful with my groceries is for psychological reasons,” she added.
“It’s a scary time for everyone. Being able to ensure that everything is up to my own safety standards makes me feel like I have control over something,” Final thoughts by her.
The actions taken by Dr. Haya might look over the top, but these are rather safe than sorry.
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