If you’re still at home because of the coronavirus pandemic, you may wonder if you can still order food or grocery delivery. Is it also safe to do this?
If you’re ill, quarantined, or simply trying to keep healthy at home, here are three recommendations for properly ordering food or groceries.
Specify The Delivery Method In The Notes Section
A blank section labeled “delivery instructions” is available whenever you purchase take-out or groceries online. Instead of providing a gate code, you may now instruct drivers to drop off food at the door or share a snapshot of where it should be put, making it easier to track deliveries. When the driver accepts the order, customers can usually contact them right away through the app to make delivery arrangements.
In order to minimize infections on their websites, you may keep track of what your favorite delivery app or service is doing. Hand sanitizer and gloves are being given out to drivers, and establishments are being encouraged to discuss best practices for handling food, such as taping over the ends of straws, according to a spokeswoman for DoorDash.
Wash Your Hands As Soon As Possible
To be on the safe side, wash your hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your face after bringing food or groceries inside.
Many food service businesses are under the control of health inspectors, and they have been setting up rules for years to keep the flu, norovirus, hepatitis A, and other illnesses from spreading to other people.
In fact, there is no visible proof that COVID-19 may be transferred via food. Takeout containers and utensils, for example, may be infected by the virus. People should therefore wash their hands after touching these products and before eating or touching their faces. “
No guidelines govern the removal of food from takeaway containers, but it’s usually best to place it on your own plate or container, discard the container, and wash your hands before eating.
Keeping surfaces and objects free of debris is essential if you want to avoid spreading the infection. Before and after you dine, clean your tables and countertops with a disinfectant.
Refrigerating leftovers within two hours is also a good food safety practice recommended by the CDC. Sharing utensils or glasses with other diners is also a bad idea.
Tip Your Delivery Well
On gig services like online food ordering system, food delivery drivers are paid either by the job or by the hour (at other restaurants). If they want to make money, they don’t have the choice of working from home.
Ideally customers is suggested to tip their drivers 20% or more in these situations. Using a meal delivery app to tip your driver is the safest way to do it. Take a moment to wash your hands after handling any invoices when you pay with money. Also, if you’re paying with a credit card and need to sign a receipt, wash your hands before and afterward.