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Ordering in from your favorite local restaurants is a good way to support independent businesses and take a break from cooking during quarantine. Plus, companies like Grubhub make doing just that easier than ever.
However, it is important to keep some things in mind when ordering delivery–specifically, knowing what you shouldn’t do.
Forgetting To Select Contact-Free Delivery
According to the CDC, there are two main precautionary measures you should be taking every time you get food delivered. One of them is avoiding in-person contact as much as possible. When it comes to food delivery, this means paying online (or through the app); luckily, Grubhub already has that covered.
Another important step? Avoiding contact during delivery. Their website explains, "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."
To protect yourself and the delivery workers, it's important to select contact-free delivery, which Grubhub offers. Their statement says, "Using Contact-free delivery at checkout, you can safely continue to support your favorite local restaurants. For the safety of you and our drivers, drivers will call/text when they arrive and drop off your order on the doorstep, in the lobby or other area designated by you. This option is now available on the website and latest version of the app."
Make sure your app is updated, and then select this option every time you order delivery to make food delivery so much safer.
Once you've received your food, swap the delivery containers for your own plates. Then wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
While speaking to TODAY, Dr. Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, a physician who specializes in infectious diseases at Tufts Medical Center, explained, "You should toss the packaging your food comes in, especially if it's plastic."
Keeping these safety precautions in mind when ordering food for delivery is a good way to keep yourself as safe as possible.