How to do the shopping during Coronavirus times: rules and advice

In an emergency like the one we are experiencing because of Coronavirus, it is important to do a rational and systematic shopping, without accumulating too many things or focusing on the wrong foods, also because supermarkets and groceries will always remain open. Here are some rules and useful tips on how to do the shopping, and how to buy the right products in such a particular moment.

In these days of emergency, we have seen many panic scenes: large rows of customers panicking in front of supermarkets, useless and harmful gatherings of people, violation of the rules essentially for the fear of remaining with an empty refrigerator. But, as repeated by many people by now, it is possible to do the shopping, even with the latest regulations issued, which severely restrict movement limits. So, don't panic: you can go shopping, following some precautions and maybe some advice to make a rational shopping and not to accumulate too many things. Here are all the rules and advice to make the best shopping even in times of isolation because of Coronavirus.

What you can do and what you cannot do: grocery shopping

As we already said before, it is possible to do grocery shopping: in addition, the restrictions do not apply to goods. This means that shops and supermarkets will continue to be restocked and there will be no shortages, if not those caused by a compulsive shopping done by many customers at the same time. In any case, in order to do the shopping, it is necessary to observe some very precise rules:

respect the minimum distance of one meter, preferably one and a half meters;

wear gloves or use supermarket gloves to handle fresh food;

wait for your turn outside the shop, if there are too many people inside;

Of course, the recommendation is to go to the closest store to your home. Do not necessarily aim for large supermarkets: there are many small businesses and shops that need to be supported.

When to go shopping

As a precaution you should try to go at times when there are fewer people, such as opening, but also during lunchtime or just after lunch. Now the supermarkets are controlled by shop assistants and employees who bring in a few customers at a time, checking the number inside. Of course the queue outside must respect the rule of minimum distance.

What to buy if you stay home for a long time

The best advice is to make a rational and intelligent shopping, without accumulating too many things, especially if you are buying fresh and highly perishable products. In fact, the emergency cannot be an alibi for food wasting: in this case, the important thing is to make targeted and not too exaggerated provisions, given also the rule that guarantees the opening of grocery stores. But what is recommended to buy in these cases?

Non-perishable foods. Products such as water, pasta, dried legumes, canned vegetables, peeled tomatoes and tomato puree, frozen foods, various types of flour, long-life milk, biscuits, cereals are foods that can be purchased in greater quantities and which can always come in handy in case of long stay at home. However, this does not mean that they do not have an expiration date, especially as regards milk, frozen foods and flours. Furthermore, once opened, they must be consumed in some cases within a few days (milk for example), in some cases within a few months (flour).

Fresh products. Isolation does not mean eliminating fresh fruit and vegetables from your diet, which can and must be bought, observing the rules of hygiene and therefore, for example using gloves when we choose it. However, be careful with quantities, because these are products that deteriorate in a few days.

Bread and baked goods. In this case, a distinction must be made between fresh bread, which can be bought, cut into slices and then frozen, and semi-cooked products which can instead be kept for a longer time. Same thing for crusty bread or breakfast bread: they can be preserved for a longer time if closed but, once opened, they must be consumed in a few days, at most in a week.

Meat and fish. Highly perishable foods, unless you buy them already frozen: in this case, however, pay attention to the label. If you buy them fresh, pay attention to the quantities: for example, the meat can be frozen, while it is better to consume fish immediately. Alternatively, you can cook it in various preparations such as meatballs or pies and then freeze it.

Fruit juices, beer, wine. You can also make provisions of these products, which are preserved well if not open.

Household and hygiene products. Don't forget everything you need for home disinfection: cleaning products, body disinfectants, products for washing clothes, disinfectants, disposable tissues and wipes.

Products for animals. Also in this case making provisions is good but without exaggerating: remember that also wet and dry food for animals has an expiration date.