Running Essential Errands

Tips for grocery shopping

Stay home if sick

• Avoid shopping if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Order online or use curbside pickup

• If possible, limit visiting the grocery store, or other stores selling household essentials, in person. In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
• Order groceries and other items online for home delivery or curbside pickup (if possible) or check with your local grocery store to see if pre-order or drive-up options are available.

Protect yourself while shopping

• Wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when social is distancing is difficult.
• When you do have to visit in person, go during hours when fewer people will be there (for example, early morning or late night).
• If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for people at higher risk. If they do, try to shop during those hours.
• If you normally bring your own reusable shopping bags, ensure they are cleaned before each use. Some locations have temporarily banned the use of reusable shopping bags during the COVID-19 pandemic, so check your state, local, store or market policies before bringing reusable bags.
• Disinfect the shopping cart, use disinfecting wipes if available.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while shopping and in lines.
• Use marked entry or exit points and follow any directional signs or floor markings designed to keep people at least 6 feet apart.
• Only touch products that you plan to purchase, if possible.
• Consider not consuming any sample or purchase food or drink items from self-service stations.
• If possible, use touchless payment (pay without touching money, a card, or a keypad). If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer right after paying.

Practice hand hygiene

• Before entering and after exiting the grocery store or market, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• When you get home, and before preparing or eating food, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Unpack safely at home

• Currently, the risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from food products, food packaging, or bags is thought to be low. However, it is always important to follow good food safety practices.
• When unpacking groceries, refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within 2 hours of purchasing.
• Do NOT use disinfectants designed for hard surfaces, such as bleach or ammonia, on food packaged in cardboard or plastic wrap.
• After unpacking groceries, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Regularly clean and disinfect kitchen counters using a commercially available disinfectant productexternal icon or a DIY disinfecting solution.

Shopping at farmer’s markets or open-air markets

If you are shopping at farmer’s markets or open-air markets, follow the general principles listed under Grocery Shopping, plus the following:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask , practice hand hygiene, maintain social distancing, and unpack safely at home.