Now that a number of shops in Hazlemere will accept telephone orders and deliver, please point residents in their direction first, rather than going through us, so that our volunteers can concentrate on those who most need our help. Follow the Hazlemere Coronavirus Community Support page on Facebook for up to date info on which shops are delivering.
If you do shop for someone, here are some tips.
Before you go:
- Ask them to give you a shopping list over the phone, text message or online beforehand
- Agree whether or not they will accept substitutions.
- If anyone is worried about paying for their goods or has no way to repay you, please liaise with Stephanie Baldwin – there are various options to help.
- Ask if they have any allergies or dietary requirements.
- Ask if they have any health conditions (eg a compromised immune system) that means you should take EVEN more care than normal.
- Agree a time for delivery.
While you are shopping:
- Avoid public transport (assuming any is still running!).
- Take extreme care to ensure your hands are clean while handling their items.
- With freshly washed hands, put the items in a new disposable bag. I
- Always get a receipt. See the separate guidance on handling the money.
Delivering the shopping
- Don’t go into any house and maintain a 2m distance from the front door. Leave the bag of goods (or the inner bag if you used 2 bags) outside the doorstep and let the person know that their shopping is there via phone or text message. Get confirmation that they have received it before you leave.
- Check the safety of the products delivered. Check any packaging is sealed and the temperature of the product on delivery eg. If it’s meant to be frozen is it still frozen?
- Recommend that recipients wash shopping wherever possible and wash their hands after touching it.
- Remember to wash hands before and after each delivery. Where possible wash for 20 seconds with soap and water. When out and about keep a bottle of alcohol hand sanitiser to hand.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, use the crook of your arm.
- Remember your own safety. Follow social distancing protocol and don’t take unnecessary risks.
- Take special care when handling any items which may be given to people who may have compromised immune systems. The virus can live on inanimate surfaces for some time.
- When you get back, wash your hands and disinfect any surface that may have been touched by the person you are delivering to.
- Don’t seek to profit from the help you offer. See the separate guidance on how to deal with payment.
Updated 05.04.20