The following guidelines for shoppers were issued by the Bartholomew County Health Department on April 2, 2020.

Keep Your Distance

  • Go alone. Do not bring children or other family members or friends.
  • Whether waiting in line before a store opens, while waiting to get a cart, or waiting in line to make a purchase, keep a 6-foot buffer zone between the person in front of or behind you.
  • Don’t congregate in the aisles, especially the produce section. Take turns if possible.

Limit Your Trips

  • Limit your trips by buying what you need for two weeks, but don’t hoard.
  • If you are not feeling well, don’t shop.
  • High-risk (elderly and people with underlying health conditions) should avoid going into stores.

Keep It Clean

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before you leave your home and when you return.
  • Consider using hand sanitizer after touching high touch areas in the store (i.e. freezer door handles, etc.)
  • If available, use the store’s wipes to wipe down the cart you are using before and after your shopping trip.
    • Consider bringing your own disinfecting wipes (to wipe down carts) and hand sanitizer as stores may run out during busy times.
  • Don’t pick up or touch items you don’t intend to buy.
  • If available, wear plastic gloves and a mask when you shop and don’t touch your face.
    • If you wear gloves and a mask, handwashing and distancing are still critical to prevent the spread of infection. Don’t let mask and gloves give you a false sense of security.

Avoid Going Inside or Time Shopping Trips Strategically

  • Use grocery store curbside pickup, online ordering, and/or telephone ordering when available.
  • Many stores are offering dedicated shopping hours to elderly or at risk patients- utilize these times if possible for you.
  • Consider shopping early when stores are the cleanest or time shopping trips to “off” times when crowds are less likely.

Avoid Using Cash

  • Use a payment app on your smartphone.
  • Use a credit/debit card in the self-checkout line. Self-checkout kiosks are high tough surfaces. Wash your hands immediately after using.

Clean Your Purchases

  • Consider anything you bring home as contaminated. It is not fully understood how long the virus can live on surfaces.
  • Keep non-perishable items in the garage or on a porch for three days. Or thoroughly clean each item before you put items away. Clean your hands after putting items away.
  • Sanitize countertops after you unload your groceries.

Be Kind, Use Self-Checkout if Possible

  • Remember to be kind to the employees who are providing a life-critical service for the rest of us. They deserve our respect and our thanks.
Shopper and Store Guidelines (PDF)