For the last two weeks, state officials all over America have worked on closing bars and restaurants, in an effort to prevent the virus from spreading. MGM and Disney have closed their resorts across the country as well to try to limit people’s exposure to COVID-19.
As you already know, doctors are advising everyone to stay quarantined until further notice, distance themselves from other people, and avoid social contact as much as possible. On March 16th the White House published guidelines on how American citizens should act during this period:
Avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people
Keep trips to the store to a minimum, possibly avoid them
Stop going to bars, buffets, and restaurants completely
In countries like Italy and China, people had to be quarantined 24-hours a day for at least two weeks, which required heavy changes to their lifestyle. People in the United States are now left worried about their lifestyle changes, mainly about buying food.
Avoiding stores and restaurants has pushed many people toward online delivery services. Even some small restaurants have switched to a food-delivery-only business model to try to keep their workers employed and their business afloat.
The Rise of Food Delivery Services
People are now fully aware that their options are limited, which is why they’ve started using apps to order both groceries and fully-cooked meals. In March, food delivery and rideshare services like Drover Rideshare have seen a noticeable increase in delivery volume.
In addition, more and more people are downloading food delivery apps and registering for their membership programs. According to statistics gathered by Apptopia, certain food delivery applications have seen their download numbers increase by more than 200% in the past two weeks.
How Safe are Food Delivery Services?
As the FDA reports, at the moment, no evidence would suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted through food or its packaging. That means, you shouldn’t be afraid when ordering food online or using a delivery app, because everyone involved is taking tremendous measures to protect themselves (and you!) from exposure.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a “zero risk situation.” There’s a chance that someone infected with COVID-19 was involved in the handling of the packet at some point in time. You should use alcohol to rub the packaging and wash anything unwrapped in the package, just in case.
Furthermore, you should leave a note for the delivery person to leave the package in front of your door if you have any elderly people living with you. The delivery person should put the food in front of your door, step back, wait for you to leave the money and go back inside, before going back to their vehicle.
4 Rules for Safe Food Delivery
Even though you likely won’t catch the coronavirus through the packaging, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. When ordering food, there are certain rules you should abide by if you want to remain 100% safe.
1. Use Only Reputable Services
The first rule is to only use apps and services you’re already familiar with or that have a spotless reputation online. You should avoid ordering food from a restaurant you got sick at. You can always call the health department if you’re looking at a local restaurant and check their inspection scores. Restaurants that had good scores before the outbreak probably keep hygiene at a high level after. Also, don’t be afraid to call and talk to their staff if you have any doubts.
2. Pay for Food In Advance
Social distancing is there to reduce our contact with other people as much as possible. You should try to keep your contact with the delivery people at a minimum. That’s why no-contact delivery services are becoming so popular. What’s more, avoid paying in cash and person. You should only use apps that allow you to pay for food with your debit or credit card. Remember to wear a face mask and gloves while you’re collecting the food as well.
3. Throw the Package Out
Stashing your leftovers in the package has been one of the main reasons why food delivery has been so popular in the past few decades. Unfortunately, stashing your leftovers is now a luxury you can’t afford especially if you’re living with a high-risk person. An elderly person or someone suffering from a chronic disease shouldn’t be in contact with packaging, whether it’s made out of plastic or styrofoam.
4. Never Share Your Food
Cutting into your food and sharing it with someone, before you start eating is fine. But anything other than that should be avoided at all costs. For instance, two people eating from the same container or biting into the same piece of food is undoubtedly one of the worst things you can if neither of you is tested for COVID-19. Keep in mind: germs and viruses are invisible and even though the person might look fine, there’s a chance they have it.
Are the Delivery People Safe?
Food delivery services are keeping people all over the country safe by eliminating the need to leave their homes for food. But what about their workers? Are they safe outside? Every responsible food delivery company will do everything in their power to keep their customers as safe as possible.
Reputable companies are making sure their delivery drivers all use hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes before entering and after leaving their vehicle. Moreover, they’ve provided their employees with the CDC guidelines for safe food handling and delivery.
Final Thoughts on Food Delivery During the Quarantine
Will the interest in food delivery services stay at such a high level even after the pandemic is over? It’s hard to tell really. For now, ordering food is your safest option if you want to avoid possibly exposing yourself to the virus. Keep ordering and you’ll keep yourself safe during these hard times.
Looking for some yummy options? Check out the Drover Rideshare Delivery service to see what’s on the menu for tonight.
