Top 4 things to prevent catching coronavirus in the supermarket

Supermarkets are the one place we’re all still going and with community transmissions rising there are concerns about staying safe when shopping.

So, how long does the virus last on fruit and what’s the best way to protect ourselves in the supermarket?

The host of ‘The Latest’, Michael Usher spoke with UNSW Virologist, Dr Sasha Stelzer-Braid.

1. How should we protect ourselves when visiting the supermarket?

The level of coronavirus in the community is quite low so the risk of contracting COVID-19 in a supermarket is quite low but it’s a good idea for people in high-risk categories like elderly people and those with cardiac disease to take some extra precautions like having someone else do the shopping for them or do online shopping.

2. What about for regular healthy people?

Wipe down your trolley with alcohol wipes but if you don’t have those use a tissue to hold onto the trolley handle.

Try not to touch too many things in the supermarket.

Regularly wash your hands with soap and water.

3. What about fruit and vegetables?

Always wash your fruit and vegetables when you get home. Cold water will remove most viruses and dirt.

If you’re in a risk category you can use a little bit of detergent to wash your produce.

4. Does the virus last on the surface of fruit?

We don’t know particularly about fruit but we do know the virus lasts on plastic and cardboard, so with that in mind, we can make an assumption that the virus might last a bit longer on fruit with a hard surface - like an apple.

Watch: 7 simple steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus

Originally published on 7News.