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As many people in Egypt are staying home as a means to try and prevent Coronavirus from spreading, a common question has been circulating amongst Rahet Bally mamas: Is it safe to order food delivery or bring groceries into your home?
The question is valid as it stems from the fear of brining the virus into your home and infecting yourself or those you love. You’re staying home for a reason, after all. However, it is important to note that coronavirus cannot be transmitted through food. But, it is the packaging that is a concern.
While staying at home is essential, we need food to survive. There has been a circulating video on social media that is quite detailed and explains it all. Here’s a step-by-step process of how to disinfect any possible coronavirus particles on your groceries or from food you’ve had delivered to your home.
Step 1: Sanitize your table with disinfectant

Photo credit: YouTube
Step 2: Divide your working table in half and add your shopping bags on only one side of the table


Photo credit: YouTube
And when you’ve disinfected each item separately, you can place them on the other half of the table
Step 3: Spray disinfectant on any outer surface
Step 4: Remove items like bread and nuts from their plastic cover to a sealed container


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 5: Use sanitized wipes or spray to disinfect the plastic covering fresh vegetables or remove the plastic cover completely and wash the vegetables


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 6: Remove sealed food like cereals from their cardboard boxes and throw away the cardboard. The inner bag is most probably untouched and clean.


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 7: Place fruits in soapy water and scrub each piece for 20-30 seconds. Porous fruits as oranges should be treated like skin in terms of washing.


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 8: Throw away plastic bags (preferably out of the house) and sanitize the work space again. If you use a cloth shopping tote, wash it.



Photo credit: YouTube
Step 9: Wash your hands for 20-30 seconds


Photo credit: YouTube
How to disinfect take-out and food deliveries
With everyone being afraid to order take out, here’s an easy step-by-step guide to ensure your food is safe and coronavirus-free. Coronavirus has not been proven to transmit through food, however, with the packaging being the problem, here’s how to disinfect it:
Step 1: Remove the bags and throw them away outside the house


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 2: Remove the packaging without touching the food with your hands


Photo credit: YouTube


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 3: Microwave food for 30 seconds


Photo credit: YouTube
Step 4: Avoid ordering cold dishes and always resort to hot food instead


Photo credit: YouTube
You can watch the entire video presented by a health worker here. This is the same method health workers use to sterilize and disinfect surgical equipment and tools before surgeries.
Further reading: 14 Egyptian Online Grocery Shopping Apps to Avoid Supermarket Crowds
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