During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people prefer to order food from restaurants through delivery services because it is more practical. However, you need to be careful. To stay safe from exposure to the Corona virus, there are things you need to pay attention to when buying food using a courier service.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you are indeed advised to eat food that is cooked at home because it is more hygienic and nutritional. However, sometimes you may not have time to cook or are bored with the food at home and want to enjoy the food menu at your favorite restaurant.
Because everyone is advised to stay at home and some areas have also imposed PSBB (Large-Scale Social Restrictions) so that most restaurants don't serve dine-in, many people end up using delivery services via phone or apps to buy food.
Even so, you need to pay attention to the cleanliness of the food ordered and the delivery procedure, so that there is no transmission of the Corona virus when you transact, receive and open food packaging, and consume the food.
Is the Corona Virus Transmitted Through Food?
There are studies that show that the Corona virus can survive on certain surfaces for some time. On the surface of copper, this virus can survive for 4 hours, while on the surface of objects made of cardboard, the Corona virus can last for 24 hours.
The virus that causes COVID-19 can even last up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces and stainless steel. This means that a person can become infected when they touch an object that has been contaminated and then touch the face without washing their hands.
However, the risk of transmitting Corona virus infection through this method is somewhat smaller. Until now, the most common way of transmitting the Corona virus is through direct contact with a splash of phlegm when a person with COVID-19 sneezes or coughs.
As long as you take steps to prevent the Corona virus and always maintain cleanliness, you don't need to be afraid to touch objects made of plastic, cardboard, or copper, including food packaging ordered.
In addition, there is no evidence that the Corona virus can be transmitted through food. According to information released by the WHO, the Corona virus cannot reproduce in food. To survive, this virus needs a host, namely a living human or animal cell.
How to Maintain Personal Hygiene When Receiving Orders from Couriers
Although the risk of transmitting the Corona virus through food is very small, you are still advised to cook your own food at home because it is healthier. It is also important to reduce physical contact with other people.
If you want to order food from outside, apply the following steps to minimize the risk of being infected with the Corona virus:
1. Pay cashless (cashless)
Try not to pay for food with cash or debit or credit cards when you order food through a delivery service. You can make a payment method with a digital wallet available in the application or transfer money online on line to the account number specified by the seller.
2. Apply physical distancing
Ask the courier to leave the food you ordered at the door or hang it on the fence (contactless delivery). This is done in the form of physical distancing and to minimize physical contact with couriers.
3. Wear a mask when interacting with the courier
If you can't pay for an order with a digital wallet or have to pay for an order in person with cash, wear a cloth mask when you're transacting with a courier and wash your hands immediately after.
4. Wash hands before and after taking food
Before taking food, wash your hands with running water and soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with a minimum alcohol content of 60%.
After taking food, don't forget to wash your hands again to remove dirt or viruses that may still be on your hands.
5. Dispose of food packaging
After you receive your food, immediately throw away the plastic used to wrap the food. After that, wash your hands again with running water and soap or use hand sanitizer.
6. Move food
Immediately transfer food to another container before eating. If possible, you can reheat the food that has been ordered. This is important to do to kill the Corona virus that may stick to food, as well as to make food still delicious.
If you order raw vegetables or fruit, wash them under running water and a special soap for vegetables and fruit before transferring them to the prepared containers. For frozen foods or raw foodstuffs, such as meat and fish, use separate containers to store them in freezer.
As mentioned earlier, hand washing is an important step in preventing the transmission of COVID-19. Wash your hands before preparing and eating food.
Not only restaurants, now there are many traditional markets, minimarkets, and supermarkets that offer delivery services. This service allows you to stay at home to break the chain of transmission of the Corona virus. However, keep applying the methods above to protect yourself from this virus, okay?
Whether you choose to cook your own meals at home or order ready-to-eat meals from restaurants, try to keep eating healthy and nutritious foods during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nutrition is needed to maintain your immune system to be strong against disease.
If you have questions about Corona virus infection or other health problems, you can chat directly with the doctor in the ALODOKTER application. If you need a direct examination from a doctor, you can also make an appointment with a doctor at the hospital through this application.
