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true true true true true true

Can Packages And Takeout Food Spread The Coronavirus?

By Sara Wittmeyer

Posted April 1, 2020

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(WFYI News file photo)

Special Series

This story is part of our City Limits: Coronavirus series. We're answering your questions about the effect the coronavirus pandemic is having on your life, your family and our community.

We know the coronavirus is spread primarily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

But a number of people have submitted questions to City Limits wondering if it’s still safe to order takeout or have packages delivered to their home.

Don asked, “Is it safe to eat restaurant food if it’s takeout?”

“Everyone worries about what might I touch what might I pick up and not only just restaurant deliveries, but they worry about the mail or packages and so forth. The chance of getting it from any of those mechanisms would be very low, very, very low,” says IU Health infectious disease expert Dr. Tom Hrisomalos. 

The Food and Drug Administration says currently there is no evidence of food, food containers, or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.  Though unlikely, it’s not impossible. “Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects,” says the FDA.

A recent study found the virus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours.

According to the CDC, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

The key, and you’ve heard it before, is washing your hands. If you bring a delivery into your house, wash your hands and don’t touch your face or your eyes. And wipe down the surface where you sat the package down.

“I don’t think there should be a problem with restaurant pick-ups but what I would encourage you to do is to wash your hands,” says Hrisomalos. “And be sanitary in that fashion. But I think the risk of being infected via that mechanism – if you clean, you wash your hands, you should be OK.”

If you haven’t done it, try contactless delivery. It’s something many restaurants and grocery stores are now offering. Coming into contact with someone who is infected with the virus is far riskier than touching a package someone infected with the virus might have also touched. Going “contactless” protects you and the delivery person.

READ MORE: Fresh Thyme Shifting Hours To Accommodate Shoppers At High Risk

The CDC advises that you stay home as much as possible during an outbreak to reduce your risk of being exposed.

If you have to go to the grocery, consider these tips from NPR:

  • Wash your hands before and after going to the store.
  • Shop at off-peak hours so it's easier to keep a distance from others.
  • If you're over 60, see if stores in your neighborhood are offering shopping exclusively for seniors an hour before opening to all.
  • Don't touch something at the store and then touch your face.
  • Use a sanitizing wipe to disinfect the shopping cart or basket handle. Many stores now provide wipes, but you might want to come with your own supply just in case they're out.

 For the latest news and resources about COVID-19, bookmark our Coronavirus In Indiana page here.

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