Safe Shopping During COVID-19 – How It Can Be Achieved

Safe shopping is something you probably never even thought of before 2020. If you needed groceries or other items, you’d just head to the store and pick up what you needed. Well, this year has thrown everyone for a massive curve and has taken everything that people deem “normal everyday activities” and made them tricky and downright dangerous at times.

The fact is that you can’t stop shopping, but there needs to be a balance. There needs to be a way that you can feel safe shopping, get what you need, and not risk your health in the process. So here are some simple steps you can follow to do just that.

Carry the Necessary Cleaning Items with You

First, you don’t want to leave the house to go shopping, or run any errands, without the necessary cleaning items with you. These should include a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitiser that you can refill as needed, sanitising or alcohol wipes, tissues, and of course a couple of clean face masks so you can wear them where required.

Go with a Plan and Stick to It

It’s also a good idea to go shopping with a plan. This isn’t really the time to be browsing aimlessly in stores, as you want to be in crowded spaces as little as possible. You can even make a shopping list if that will help, and organise it by aisle. This helps you to get into the store and out in an efficient manner.

Visit During Non-Peak Hours

Whenever possible, it’s also smart to shop during non-peak hours. For example, heading to the shops right after you finish work for the day may not be ideal. This is typically a busy time, and it may make more sense to go home, have a bite to eat, then head back out when the crowds have dissipated.

If you need to use public transit to and from the shops, again you want to go during non-peak hours so it’s easier to avoid crowded situations.

Hire a Service to Shop for You

Another option that has become incredibly popular in 2020 is to skip heading to the stores yourself and hire a service to do all your shopping for you. While these companies existed before the pandemic, it was 2020 that truly threw them into the spotlight and highlighted just how useful they can be.

Take Shift, for example, and its Shift Shopping service. It’s a subscription service that gives you access to major retailers and supermarkets in your area. You do all your shopping online, the representative does the in-person shopping for you, and then you can take advantage of contact-free delivery right to your door.

While this service can be useful to anyone, for those with any underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk during the pandemic, this can prove to be incredibly important. It keeps them out of the busy stores and away from crowds.

By using these tips, or skipping shopping in person all together and using a service instead, you’ll be able to shop safely and with confidence.