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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are getting more home deliveries than ever before. Many have questions about how to safely unpack newly arrived goods. Should I be wiping down every package? Is it better to leave it outside for a few days? Whether it’s mail or parcel, here are some basic tips for handling all of your deliverables.
How Long Does The COVID-19 Live On My Parcels?
According to early research, COVID-19 may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials, such as up to 24 hours for cardboard and 3 hours for plastic. In general, because of the poor survivability of these viruses on surfaces, there is likely a very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures.
Should I Disinfect My Parcels?
At this time, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 is spread through environmental exposures, such as coming into contact with contaminated surfaces. To be extra cautious, you can disinfect your parcels in this way:
Step 1
Instead of handing items from the delivery hero at your door, you can choose to have it left outside their door for you to practice contactless pick up.
Step 2
If you’re still really nervous about your parcels, you can leave it untouched in an isolated space for several hours – possibly a whole day before opening them.
Step 3
Remove the items from the outer packaging, and dispose of them immediately. Be sure to wear a mask all the time while doing this.
Step 4
Wipe down any table-top surfaces used for opening and also your parcel content.
Step 5
After discarding the parcels, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with either soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Remember this: on the way to picking up your package, you may be touching a number of things, such as an elevator button, the shared doorknob on the front door, or the pen that you use to sign for a parcel. Being aware of your contact with these surfaces is important as well.
