Running Essential Errands

Limit In-Person Contact

• Accept deliveries without in-person contact whenever possible. Ask for deliveries to be left in a safe spot outside your house (such as your front porch or lobby), with no person-to-person interaction. Otherwise, stay at least 6 feet away from the delivery person.
• Pay online or on the phone when you order (if possible).

Wash Your Hands / Use Hand Sanitizer

• After collecting mail from a post office or home mailbox, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• After receiving your delivery or bringing home your takeout food, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Use Gloves or Disinfecting Wipes on Handles / Buttons

1. Use gloves or disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons before you touch them (if available).
2. After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home or somewhere with soap and water.

Talk to Your Doctor Online, by Phone or E-Mail

• Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed.
• Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or e-mail.

If You Must Visit In-Person, Protect Yourself & Others

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• If you think you have COVID-19, let the office know and follow guidance.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.
• Use disinfecting wipes on frequently touched surfaces such as handles, knobs, touchpads (if available).
• When paying, use touchless payment methods if possible. If you cannot use touchless payment, sanitize your hands after paying with card, cash, or check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

Limit In-Person Visits to the Pharmacy

• 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.
• If possible, call prescription orders in ahead of time. Use drive-through windows, curbside services (wait in your car until the prescription is ready), mail-order, or other delivery services. Do the same for pet medicine.
• Plan to order and pick up all your prescriptions at the same time.

Stay Home if Sick

• Avoid shopping if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

Order Online or Use Curbside Pickup

• Only visit the grocery store, or other stores selling household essentials, in person when you absolutely need to. This will limit your potential exposure to others and the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Order food and other items online for home delivery or curbside pickup (if possible).

Protect Yourself While Shopping

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.
• Disinfect the shopping cart, use disinfecting wipes if available.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• 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.
• If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for people at higher risk. If they do, try to shop during those hours. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while shopping and in lines.
• When you do have to visit in person, go during hours when fewer people will be there (for example, early morning or late night).

Use Hand Sanitizer / Wash Your Hands

• After leaving the store, use hand sanitizer. When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• At home, follow food safety guidelines: clean, separate, cook, chill. There is no evidence that food or food packaging has been linked to getting sick from COVID-19.