The Jakarta PSBB took effect Monday (14/9). If you want to order food online, there are tips that need to be considered so that you avoid the risk of transmitting Covid-19.
The Governor of DKI Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, imposed large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) starting Monday (14/9). This policy affects various sectors, including food businesses such as restaurants and restaurants.
Anies on his Instagram (11/9) said, “All food businesses such as restaurants can only accept take-home / delivery orders.” In other words, restaurants and restaurants can no longer serve dine-in.
Well, for those of you who want to order food online, such as via online motorcycle taxis (ojol) or drive thru, there are a number of things that need to be considered. This is to maintain health and food safety in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here are 5 safe tips for ordering food online during the Jakarta PSBB period:
1. Pay with electronic money
Quoted from Good Housekeeping (25/3), the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued guidelines for ordering food online which are also suitable for application in Indonesia. One of the main things is to take advantage of online payment technology.
We recommend that you use electronic money so that there is no physical contact between the buyer and the seller / delivery person. Even if you are forced to use cash, put the money in one place, then let it be collected by the seller / delivery person.
2. Immediately throw away the plastic food packaging
When receiving a package, try not to touch or be close to the courier or ojol. You can ask them to put food on the terrace or in front of the fence. After that, then take it yourself.
Then after taking the food, throw away the plastic or food packaging that came with it. Dr. Donald Schaffner, Ph.D, a food science specialist, said there were studies that found the Covid-19 virus could last 72 hours on plastic.
Dr. Schaffner emphasized that even though the risk of transmitting Covid-19 through this is relatively low, there is nothing wrong with being on guard.
After that, immediately move the food to a clean plate or container. Try not to move food directly with bare hands, but use cutlery.
3. Wash hands before eating
The most important thing about preventing Covid-19 is diligently washing your hands. This also applies when you order food online via ojol or drive-thru.
After receiving the package from ojol then transferring the food to a clean plate, wash your hands immediately. Do it at least 20 seconds under running water. Make sure to use soap to get rid of both viruses and bacteria effectively.
The same is true when you come home to buy food via drive-thru. When you get home, try to wash your hands immediately.
4. Wear gloves and keep some distance when drive-thru
There’s nothing wrong with wearing gloves when transacting via drive thru. This is because you can’t wash your hands right away. Then after receiving the food, put it in an area of the car that is rarely touched, for example at the bottom near the feet or trunk.
If you don’t have gloves, make sure to bring a hand sanitizer. Use this hand sanitizer just after making transactions and taking food. But when you get home, you still have to wash your hands right away.
Another thing to note is keeping your distance. When on a drive-thru, avoid getting too close to officers or other people around.
5. We recommend that you order cooked food
Rozanna M. Rosly, a nutritionist from Universiti Malaya Specialist Center, said it was better to order cooked food. Avoid ordering raw food to prevent food poisoning.
“If you order raw food, the packaging and storage must be separated from cooked food to prevent cross contamination,” he explained.
Then it is even better if you reheat the food before eating it. The recommended temperature is 65 degrees Celsius, the FDA says.
