COVID-19 Safety: Going Out for Essential Items

Taking steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 poses new challenges for everyday tasks, such as buying groceries and medicine, getting gas or doing our banking. But you can help stay safe with these steps from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ALL ERRANDS

• Stay home if you are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath. Call before getting medical care and follow these steps.
  
• Wear a cloth face cover if you must be in public and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  
• Cover your coughs and sneezes, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  
• Use hand sanitizer after leaving a store, getting gas or accepting deliveries. When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  
  

BANKING
Bank online whenever possible. If you must visit the bank, use the drive-through ATM if one is available. Clean the ATM keyboard with a disinfecting wipe before you use it.

DELIVERIES

• If possible, pay online or on the phone when you order.
  
• Accept your deliveries with no in-person contact whenever possible. Otherwise, stay at least 6 feet away from the delivery person.

DOCTOR AND PHARMACY VISITS

• Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or email.
  
• Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed.
  
• Plan to order and pick up all your prescriptions at the same time. If possible, call prescription orders in ahead of time. Use drive-through windows, curbside pickup, mail-order or other delivery services. Do the same for pet medicines.
  
• Check with your doctor and pharmacist to see if you can get a larger supply of your medicines so you do not have to visit the pharmacy as often.

GAS
At the gas pump, use gloves or disinfecting wipes on handles or buttons before touching them.

GROCERY SHOPPING

• Order online or use curbside pickup. Only visit the store in person when you must.
  
• Protect yourself while shopping:
  
  • Shop during hours when fewer people will be there, and stay at least 6 feet away while shopping and in lines.
    
  • If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for you.
    
  • Disinfect the shopping cart and use disinfecting wipes if available.
    
  • 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.
    

FIND COVID-19 SAFETY UPDATES Visit redcross.org/coronavirus for more information on COVID-19 safety. For the latest information, please visit the CDC website at cdc.gov/covid19. If you live outside the United States, health and safety tips can be found through the World Health Organization and by following your local Red Cross or Red Crescent society’s social media channels (directory).