Tips on eating out or having WaiMai during the outbreak
Is it risky to go to restaurants? What protective measures should I take if I go to restaurants?
Eating in restaurants can involve many risk factors leading to the exposure of the novel coronavirus via respiratory droplets generated when a person, for example, coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from their nose. Generally, it’s recommended to avoid large crowds, especially in epidemic areas, because you don’t know if someone you see may be sick, whether it’s on the way to the restaurant or when dining in restaurants. As a protective measure, Chinese officials have banned group dining and banquets since last week (February 5), discouraging group dining during this pandemic period.
At this stage, CDC advises that, “it’s currently unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV (now called SARS-CoV-2) by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.” However, it’s always a good idea to be cautious and follow general food and hand hygiene. For your safety, consider doing the following before and during dining in restaurants.
1. Wear a mask if there is a potential of entering crowds or poorly ventilated areas and stay away from people who cough or sneeze.
2. Avoid taking public transport in epidemic areas by riding a bike, walking, or driving to the restaurants.
3. Choose a restaurant with good food safety records from official authorities and follow strict hygiene practices.
4. Wash your hands after you touch public objects, such as the menu, salt and pepper shakers, and bottled sauces.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly after you use the toilet and before eating - bring hand sanitizer in case there is no soap for you to use in the restaurant.
6. Bring your own cup and cutlery if possible and use a serving spoon or chopsticks for communal dishes.
7. Make sure plates and cutlery are dry.
8. Avoid staying or chatting in the restaurant for a long time after you have finished your meal.
9. Ensure the food handlers, waiters, or waitresses are washing their hands properly; and inform the person of good hygiene practices if you notice anything not up to standard.
10. Always make sure that the meat, fish, or eggs you eat are fully cooked, and avoid wildlife animal products at all cost.
Is it safe to get food delivery or waimai?
Delivery companies are required to implement preventative measures, which food service staff and delivery persons have to comply with. You may see the delivery guy wearing a mask, disinfecting the basket on his or her's scooter, or having a record of of his or her's body temperature.
When you receive the delivery of a package, you should know the following:
1. The delivery person should wear a mask and there must be no respiratory secretions (coughing or spitting) on the surface of the package.
2. When taking the delivery at the door, wear a mask and wash your hands with soap and running water or hand sanitizer as soon as you have taken the item.
3. When picking up the delivery outside of the home, wear a mask when you go outside and avoid any crowds. Wash your hands with soap and running water or hand sanitizer as soon as you have removed the outer layer of packaging.
4. Ask the delivery person to leave the item in the designated delivery area and wear a mask when you pick it up. Wash your hands with soap and running water or hand sanitizer as soon as you have removed the outer layer of packaging.
5. The World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed out that wearing gloves may not provide addtional protection, thus washing your hands is a must.
As we learned from trusted sources, including the WHO, although we don’t know how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus survives on surfaces, simple disinfectants can kill the virus, so wiping the surface with disinfectants or at least 60% alcohol (without exposure to a fire source) may be an excellent additional measure to take.
As we are paying a lot more attention to the virus, we can’t ignore the risk of bacterial contamination. Some restaurants may claim “ingredients are imported” or “guaranteed”, which may sound very promising, but food safety doesn’t stop there. Food safety involves all steps, such as preparing, cooking, storing, and delivering, and at any point can be at risk for contamination. For example, pizza with meat or cheese toppings may be baked at temperatures well above 300 degrees, but you also need to pay attention to how long it’s kept at room temperature before it’s served.
A general rule of thumb for storing food is “keeping the hot food hot and cold food cold.” If the hot food is getting cold during delivery, it’s better to reheat it before consumption. For general food safety and a lowered risk of food-borne illnesses, ask for fully cooked meat, fish, or eggs and avoid shaved cheese or salami to prevent bacterial growth at room temperature. Use your own sauces, such as mayonnaise or tomato sauce. Additionally, use your own utensils rather than ordering cutlery or chopsticks.
General food safety regarding waimai, at restaurants, or at shops
So far, the most effective preventative measures are washing hands frequently, staying away from anyone who coughs or sneezes, and avoiding touching your nose, mouth, and eyes after you’ve touched public objects, wherever you are.
When buying food from shops, check the “best before” or expiration dates, especially for meat, poultry, and dairy products (including milk, cheese, and yogurt). Buy foods that can be stored, e.g., pasta, rice, canned foods, and frozen vegetables. Handle raw meat or fish with care, wash hands frequently, and avoid eating undercooked meat, fish, or eggs. Leave packages at the door or in the bin, or spray the box/bag with disinfectant before you put the food into the refrigerator.
Protect yourself and others from getting sick.
Jackie Gao is a Chinese-born, Australian-trained dietitian and nutritionist. She is a part of Beijing United Family Hospital's (BJU) Center for Family Medicine and Integrative Health Care, bringing together a holisitic approach to the care and wellbeing of our patients. Our team of professional healthcare providers, like Jackie, is dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare to people of all ages. To make an appointment with her, please call our service center at 4008-919191.
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