What You Need to Know When Handling Packages During the Pandemic
The role of transportation in business has become even more evident during the spread of the pandemic. Since most people are afraid of getting infected by the COVID-19 virus, they tend to spend a lot of time indoors. While several countries like the Philippines are currently experiencing all the negative repercussions of such a crisis, there is still a high demand for different sorts of products, especially those that can be purchased online.
Making business transactions using your device and waiting for your products to arrive at your doorstep is a better idea than rushing to nearby grocery stores and malls. Surely enough, buying stuff on the internet is the safer option than exposing yourself to large crowds. However, it doesn’t eliminate the risk of you getting the virus – the packages you regularly receive have been moved and touched by several people. Now, the question remains unanswered among many consumers: what are the precautionary measures that must be applied when handling packages that they brought online?
COVID-19 from Packages
According to information from the Center for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), the type of novel coronavirus that leads to COVID-19 can survive on surfaces of any form of materials for days. Based on an article published in Wirecutter, a study has been conducted to test the lifespan of the virus, suggesting that it can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours.
CDC also stated that the virus has a low risk of infecting more people because packages normally undergo a long shipping process, which can take days or even weeks. The virus that’s been potentially infesting the package might have already died before it can even be brought to anyone’s home.
Handling Packages during the Pandemic
Experts in the field of virology already stressed the main reasons for how COVID-19 can be transmitted from one person to another – through respiratory droplets. There is still the possibility of contracting the virus by engaging physical contact with an infected surface, but there is little to no evidence to support this claim.
Given all the collective knowledge that we have on the virus’s behavior, CDC continues to recommend the public that the best way of preventing the spread of the disease is by washing your hands regularly and observing physical distancing with other people. There’s no harm in spraying disinfectants on your packages, but always ensure your hands are sanitized after touching the products. You can also be more cautious by taking the items you need and disposing of the parcel right away.
Keep in mind the other things you come in contact with upon touching the package, such as your doorknob, table drawers, etc. You have to consider sanitizing them as well to minimize your risks of infection further.
Excelsior Worldwide Freight Logistics conducts free orientation for those who are willing to learn. It is our advocacy to share our knowledge & experience worth more than a decade in the business. Visit our website today at www.excelsior.ph to learn more about our service.
Sources:
- https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/coronavirus-packages/
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Ftransmission.html
- https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200402-sitrep-73-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=5ae25bc7_6