Safe Delivering
We’ve pulled together some advice on best practice for collecting and delivering things for people. This post is about delivering shopping to people who are isolating or shielding. It also has advice on how to collect things from people who are isolating - for example, mail to post!
There are two main reasons why you might be delivering shopping or other supplies to someone, or collecting something from them:
They are vulnerable to Covid-19 and are self-isolating: they don’t want to catch anything from you!
They have been exposed to Covid-19 and are self-isolating: they don’t want you to catch anything from them!
Please note - this advice is describing the ideal, and it can feel like a lot. Please just do the very best you can.
I. Delivering to a person vulnerable to Covid-19:
Disinfect the items you’re taking to them, and put them in a disinfected bag if you can. Use a mix of 1 part bleach to 20 parts water, a clean cloth (or one washed at 60 degrees) and gloves to disinfect things if you can (otherwise use soapy water). Do it where you have good air supply!
Ideally, put the disinfected bag inside a larger bag that is disinfected inside - this allows you to touch the outside, while the person you’re delivering to can reach into it and grab the disinfected bag.
Walking is the ideal mode of delivery, as you’ll touch fewer things along the way.
As you arrive, call or text them to open the door or to buzz you in to the building and open the door, and then step back inside
Put on clean gloves or use hand sanitiser. If you have a mask, use that too.
Put the bag down inside their open doorway, and fold down the outer bag so they can grab the inner one.
When they’ve taken their bag, take away the outer bag again.
II. Delivering to a person who has or may have Covid-19:
Put the items you’re delivering in a disposable bag.
When you arrive, put it outside their door. Call ahead to get buzzed into the building if necessary.
Call or text to say their delivery is outside. Stay at least 2 metres away while they pick it up.
Use hand sanitiser before you leave. Wash your hands well when you get home.
III. Collecting from to a person vulnerable to Covid-19:
Ask them to place the item in a disposable bag before you arrive
As you arrive, call or text them to open the door or to buzz you in to the building and open the door.
Ask them to put the item just outside the door, and then shut the door as quickly as possible. Stay 2 metres away while they do this.
If they don’t want to put it outside (e.g. because it’s raining) ask them to put it just inside the door and put on clean gloves or use hand sanitiser before picking it up.
Pick the item up - try and avoid touching anything else.
Try and avoid collecting anything from someone who is isolating because they may have Covid-19, in case this spreads infection.
This information has been drawn from the Covid-19 Mutual Aid group and QueerCare's wiki.