Amidst the rise of coronavirus, residents of UAE are advised to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Guidelines were also issued that only one individual per house must step out to purchase the essentials. Due to the restrictions imposed, make sure to plan your shopping list and avoid last-minute rush so that you can follow social distancing measures and avoid contact. This year Ramadan can be challenging as you might have plans for Iftar and Suhoor, it is essential to plan your list before going outdoors.
Dubai Municipality has issued guidelines and advice for the residents of the UAE to choose online shopping. The UAE residents were also asked to come out only if they are healthy, in case if you are not feeling well better to stay at home and send one of your family members to the necessary supplies. Here are a few grocery shopping tips that will help you to shop seamlessly and effectively.
Plan your Menu
Whether it is for a week or fortnight, it is important to plan your menu well in advance. Prepare the list of fruits & vegetables, food items and groceries you require to prepare food for Suhoor and Iftar. This is because you might have fewer dishes in Suhoor and more delightful dishes at the time of your dinner. Ask your family members too if they need anything and finalize the list. Discuss the meal plan with your family so that they can give their suggestions if you have forgotten to mention any items.
Check your Kitchen & Refrigerator
The next step would be to cross-check your shopping list with the items you already have in your kitchen & fridge. Add or remove items accordingly so that you do not bring the same items. Ensure you don’t end up buying unnecessary items leading to wastage of food.
What to Buy First?
When you visit the supermarket, a tip offered by Dubai Municipality is to buy dry foods first followed by frozen foods and fresh foods at the end. This makes sure that food items do not get exposed to room temperature for a longer time.
Purchase Required Items in Bulk
It might be seriously tempting to buy everything in large quantities so as to reduce the shopping trips. Remember that not every item must be purchased in bulk. Few items that can be bought in bulk are
Staple food – rice, spices, flour, sugar, salt
Canned foods – tuna, salami, beans
Frozen foods – French fries, sausages, nuggets, meat, seafood
Household essentials like cleaning and laundry supplies
Do not buy fruits, vegetables and dairy products in big quantities as their shelf life is short. Also, do not overstuff your fridge with the purchased items, fill only as much as needed to ensure proper cooling for the items to stay fresh.
Medical Supplies
Buy the necessary medicines in advance from the pharmacy, if in case you fall sick you do not need to rush to the medical shop in the last minute to purchase your tablets.
Shop Early Morning
Start your shopping as soon as the supermarket opens, as only few people will visit at the early hours and the place will be clean too. This is because the store staff sanitizes the place every night.
Carry Disinfectant Wipes, Mask and Sanitiser
Do not forget to wear your mask to avoid touching your nose and mouth. Preferably, wear an N95 mask rather than a surgical mask. Remember to carry hand sanitisers, disposable gloves or disinfectant wipes. Use the wipes to clean the shopping cart, door handles etc. to lower the risk of catching the infection. Use hand sanitizer or gloves before you start purchasing.
Online Shopping
The more suggestible way is to prepare the list and order online from your favourite store. There has been quite a surge in online purchases from the past few weeks. This is one of the best methods to shop as you can practice social distancing. Pay for your order online and opt for contactless delivery service. After receiving your order, remove the packaging & outer boxes and throw them immediately. Some of the online stores where you can buy your essentials are
Noon: One of the best stores to order grocery online and any other necessary supplies.
QualityFood: Buy all your pantry essentials here at affordable prices. Organic foods, fresh juices, groceries, fruits & vegetables, dairy products etc. are available.
Carrefour: This hypermarket chain is available both online and offline. It has all essentials right from groceries to personal care products and a lot more.
Supermart: An online grocery shopping store which delivers fresh fruits & vegetables, bakery and dairy products.
Lulu: The supermarket chain offers a user-friendly shopping experience and includes items like fruits & vegetables, canned foods, meat, seafood etc.
El Grocer: A grocery delivery app that allows users to order from their nearest supermarkets and will deliver the items at your doorstep.
Safety Measures to Follow
- Wash your hands frequently with hand wash or soap for 20 seconds.
- Do not touch your mouth, nose and face.
- Practice social distancing and step out of your home only if necessary.
- Always carry mask, gloves, sanitizer and disinfectant wipes when you go for shopping.
- Opt for contactless payment while buying your goods.
Plan your meal and purchase groceries & essential supplies. Stay alert and attentive while you shop at the supermarket and do not touch anything unnecessarily. Stay healthy, stay safe and follow the safety measures to prevent yourself from the risk of infection. Keep visiting Rezeem for more such intriguing articles.
