Grocery Shopping Etiquette

First of all I would like to thank everybody out there, who are making sure that we can handle this situation, and as my topic is about grocery stores/supermarkets etiquette during the coronavirus epidemic, I would like to applaud to those, who are working in the food supplies industry, and making sure that we have source to food, including those, who are making sure that the stores are well stocked, and shelves are getting refilled, not forgetting about the cashier, cleaning staff and the security person.

Our daily routine has drastically changed in the last few weeks, but thankfully the supermarkets are still open. I guess in most part of the world, the grocery shopping fewer has been already over, but in case we need to grab something from the store, please consider these suggestions.

• Before going to the store, think about if you really need to go there or not, check your fridge, freezer, and stock at home, and write a list of what you really need, and plan ahead a bit. Think about what will you be cooking or eating in the coming days or weeks. Take into consideration if you are alone, in couple or you have a family.
• Please think about if you are considered as a high risk person (elderly, serious illness patient) or not, and if you are, please don't go anywhere. Order instead! OR Ask a trusted helper, who will do the shopping for you, and if you don't have that person, there are many options online, where you could order your groceries from supermarkets.
• If you decide to order food, make sure that you communicate clearly to the delivery person that you want your bag of food outside your door. You or the delivery person could be the carrier of the virus, so the best is to reduce the contact to the minimum. Always make sure that you wash your hands, before picking up the bag, and after you have picked it up. Later I will mention what to do with anything that's coming from the outside.
• In some places,for example in Hungary, butchers and small family owned supermarkets are offering delivery service. In general I encourage people to buy from smaller shops, let's help local businesses.
• If you are healthy, and you still want/need to go to the supermarket. Firstly ask your neighbors or anybody in need if they would like something from the store. Let's pay attention to the others.

DISINFECT

• After the shopping is done, we need to disinfect the food packaging, the nonporous items. Packages that are not allowing air or liquid to pass through it, cans, glass bottles, jars, plastic, and metal. Use your disinfectant wipes or spray some liquid and wipe it off from the products. Also disinfect the surface what your shopping bag has touched.
• Regarding fruits and vegetables, wash them in warm water, and rub off any dirt from them. Don't use any disinfectant liquid or anything, it's not healthy.