Navigating Safe Shopping During the Pandemic: Essential Tips and Precautions

During these challenging times, ensuring personal safety while shopping is more important than ever. This guide provides essential tips and precautions for safe shopping during the pandemic, focusing on social distancing, personal protective measures, and online options.

Best Tips to Avoid Getting Coronavirus While Shopping

The global pandemic has significantly altered our shopping habits. Here are some tips to help you avoid contracting coronavirus while shopping:

Choose the Right Time to Shop

Shopping during quieter times can reduce your exposure to the virus. Avoid peak hours and consider shopping during the early mornings, late evenings, or even on weekdays when stores tend to be less crowded. For example, shopping on Wednesday afternoons or after 8 PM can be significantly safer.

Adhere to Social Distancing Guidelines

Always maintain a minimum distance of two meters from others in the store. This helps minimize the risk of airborne transmission. Consider moving to the farthest aisle possible if you observe too many people.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Always wear a face mask when shopping. For an extra layer of protection, consider wearing a full-face visor or goggles. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, especially when moving to and from a gas chamber-like environment, the safety it provides is invaluable.

Sanitize Regularly

Sanitize your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your face as much as possible. Sanitize your shopping cart or basket regularly to minimize surface contact.

Wear a PPE Kit

Customers are often recommended to wear a PPE kit, such as a full-face visor, when visiting medical stores. This enhances protection but also highlights the discomfort and effort required for medical staff. Encouraging your family members to wear PPE kits can make them more conscious of the risks and reduce impulse purchases.

Patient Navigation and Digital Shopping

The new normal of shopping during a pandemic requires a significant change in behavior and patience.

Use Digital Payments

Avoid handling cash and use contactless payments through digital apps or cards. Digital transactions not only reduce the risk of contamination but also speed up the checkout process.

Plan Your Shopping

Create a shopping list and plan it a few days in advance to minimize the frequency of outings. Categorize your shopping items to avoid unnecessary trips to the store. Favor online services for grocery shopping to minimize physical interaction.

Adopt a Contact-Free Approach

Visit the store during quiet hours and maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from others. Consider shopping alone and navigate the store at your own pace. Contactless payments and home delivery or pickup services are excellent options to reduce exposure.

General Rules for Safe Shopping During the Pandemic

Here are some additional rules to follow during the pandemic while shopping:

Go for shopping only if it's essential. Use digital payments through apps or phones instead of cards or cash. Avoid crowded places or busy times for shopping. Create a shopping list a couple of days in advance so that you can keep your outings minimal. Properly categorize your shopping items to avoid rushing around the store. Utilize online services for grocery shopping to reduce the need to visit physical stores. For cloth or leather items, avoid shopping for them initially since these items might be carrying fungus due to the lockdown.

Closure and Safety Tips

To keep yourself and others safe during the pandemic, follow these basic safety measures:

Wear a mask whenever you leave your house. Carry a sanitizer with you at all times. Take a bath as soon as you return from outside. Limit your outings to only necessary trips. Adhere to social distancing norms and avoid unnecessary contact.

Make use of websites and delivery services that offer pickup and home delivery features to minimize contact. Companies like FairPe now provide provisions picking and home delivery services to ensure convenience and safety.

By following these tips, you can ensure a safer and more comfortable shopping experience during the pandemic. Stay safe, and do your part to control the spread of the virus.