Why you need to wash your fruit and vegetables with SOAP: Virologist confirms that COVID-19 can survive on fresh supermarket produce just like any other surface
A virologist has confirmed that 'every surface may be a hazard' when it involves COVID-19 and supermarket customers should be particularly mindful of the loose fruit and vegetables within the store.
Associate professor at the University of Sydney, Timothy Newsome, makes a specialty of infection, vaccines, and virology, so has been following along closely because the coronavirus restrictions heighten in Australia.
He told FEMAIL that while the virus can survive most surfaces, patrons doing their weekly grocery shop should be particularly wary of the fruit and veg aisle as customers are constantly picking up and placing back down items.
'We need to remember that each surface is potentially contaminated. And like with any surface there's a risk,' Mr. Newsome explained.
'We don't see it as high risk because that comes from sustained contact with others, but nonetheless, it is important to be mindful.'
While it might be 'poor practice' to be testing 'every avocado for coronavirus', Mr. Newsome did say anything people can touch poses a potential problem.
'People working within the supermarkets should be picking all of the fruit and veg up and setting it back down with protection,' he said.
Luckily he noted an oversized proportion of shelf stackers and general workers wearing gloves and disinfecting their hands at every turn.
The best course of action is to scrub your fruit and vegetables with soap as soon as you bring them home, not simply counting on the high heat of cooking them to 'kill' the virus.
'Wash them with warm soapy water, even as you are doing your hands,' he said.
A Woolworths employee told FEMAIL she has seen a variety of drastic measures enforced at her local store which are helping to keep the working environment safe.
'There is certainly social distancing at checkouts. So every second register is closed at the instant including self serves,' she said.
'We have gloves supplied to us, hand sanitizer also. However, it's currently a personal preference to wear gloves or not.'
She noted there have been cleaners coming in to wipe down registers, screens and EFTPOS pin pads who walk around every 20 minutes to try to do their job.
'It's excellent for us. One less thing to stress about at this time,' she said.
While she doesn't work in the fruit and veg area, the worker though nothing had changed therein area, however, they'll soon be incorporating special cleaning procedures.
Coles has similarly put social distancing practices in sit and provides all workers access handy sanitizer.
They have also started a 'community hour' within the morning to permit elderly patrons an opportunity to try and do their shopping before the larger community.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Coles and Woolworths to ask if any longer safety procedures are to be implemented in stores.