Coronavirus: Dubai's six step guide to takeaway hygiene

Police urge residents to dump deliveries into a sink, remove all packaging and eat with your own bowls and plates

Police reminded the public it is important to keep your distance from drivers for their safety and yours, and to discard of packaging. Pawan Singh / The National

Takeaway bags should be dumped into a sink and all packaging discarded before eating, Dubai Police said.

Officers urged diners to remove all plastic or cardboard containers and use your own cutlery to eat.

In a social media post, the force listed the following to ensure drivers and residents avoid unnecessary contact.

The life-span of the virus is estimated to be several days on plastic and about 24 hours on cardboard. Many restaurants have sent emails and messages to customers assuring them that precautions are being taken, but police urged the following to be sure.

1. Avoid direct contact with delivery drivers to protect your health and theirs. Ask them to leave your order at the door.
2. Once you get your order, put the delivery bag in a sink.
3. Discard the containers that your food is delivered in, especially if it's plastic. Do not put it in your fridge.
4. Empty the food into your own bowl or plate.
5. Remember to disinfect your sink afterwards.
6. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds before eating.

Despite concerns over the ability of the virus to spread on surfaces, the vast majority of patients are believed to have caught the virus from someone else with it.

There is no evidence that Covid-19 is spread through mail or parcels, according to the World Health Organisation and US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health experts said the risks are very low that the virus would remain on envelopes or packages and infect anyone who handles them, Associated Press reported on Thursday.

But, it's still a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly and regularly - and avoid touching your face - after handling deliveries.

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