California Growers Association Issues Safe Shopping Tips During Coronavirus Outbreak
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- With the current coronavirus shelter-in-place order with us until May, there will be plenty of trips to your neighborhood grocery store to restock your shelves. The California Grocers Association has come out with 10 tips on how to do it as safely as possible.
The association also reassured consumers that grocery stores will remain open and that food and essential supplies will remain plentiful.
"Getting shopping patterns back to normal and reducing stress on both shoppers and the distribution system can go a long way toward creating normalcy in our grocery stores," said Ron Fong, the state-wide association's president and CEO.
Here are tips to help ensure a safe shopping experience for everyone:
- Only visit the grocery store when it's essential, and then buy only what you need for one week, or a little more. Be creative with what you have on hand before going to the store and don't overbuy. There is enough for all if we keep shopping patterns normal.
- Wash or disinfect your re-usable grocery bags after each use. For your safety, some grocers ask that you bag your groceries if using reusable bags, while others have decided to temporarily not allow reusable bags to be brought into their stores.
- Help reduce store crowding. Don't bring extra people on your visit to the store if at all possible.
- Practice social distancing within the store. The CDC guideline is 6-feet – the safe distance to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. An average grocery cart is 3-feet long, so keep a distance of two grocery carts between you and others.
- Inspect produce with your eyes, not your hands. To avoid unnecessary handling of fruits and vegetables use a produce bag to make your selection.
- Avoid unnecessary handling of all items in store. Try not to pick up cans or boxes or other products unless you plan to buy. Let your eyes guide your choice.
- Don't crowd the checkstand
- Keep your distance from the person in front of you. As a courtesy, some grocers have marked the floors in and around the checkout area to assist you in keeping a safe distance.
- Wait until the customer in front of you has finished collecting their groceries before unloading your groceries at the checkstand.
- Treat grocery employees with kindness. They are working hard to provide everyone with safe access to the food and supplies they need. Be patient as they go about their work including additional cleaning protocols and consider acknowledging them with a big "thank you".
- Be aware of your store's special hours or procedures. Many grocers are offering special shopping hours exclusively for seniors or other vulnerable populations. Check out your store's website or call in advance.
- Allow for extra time. Some stores are queuing customers outside their main entrance to reduce crowding within the store.
