At the end of 2019, the whole world was shocked by the terrible news about a new dangerous virus from China. Many countries have closed their borders due to the threat of the rapid spread of COVID-19. All over the world, people order their packages from popular sites such as aliexpress and pandao. The spread of coronavirus is a global problem that they are trying to eliminate in the near future. This article will help you figure out how to prevent infection through parcels.
Do I need additional disinfection of parcels?
The Ministry of Health notes that it is almost impossible to get infected through Chinese parcels. For complete safety, it is recommended to process a package from China from coronavirus.
A new type of bilateral pneumonia virus lives in the air for no more than 48 hours.
If the parcel was collected by an infected person, then the probability of transmitting coronavirus through the mail is extremely small. Parcels from China go on average from 10 days to 2 months. During this time, the virus simply cannot survive in the open air. For complete safety, doctors recommend processing a parcel with Aliexpress from coronavirus. It is always better to play it safe and take all precautions. In the context of an epidemic, it is not necessary to completely abandon goods from China, it is enough just to disinfect the package before opening it. To date, there have been no official cases of infection with the Chinese virus through parcels.
Some products at risk
There is a category of goods that you should refrain from ordering during quarantine. It is worth abandoning all categories of food, as well as dietary supplements in tablets. The primary source of infection was a market in Wuhan, which featured many species of wild animals. Raw seafood and meat should be completely abandoned. They may contain a dangerous virus.
Products made from silicone can accumulate fungus and viruses from various stamps. Cosmetics are under the threat of infection with the Chinese virus. Harder plastic and metal materials are safer and can be easily disinfected. A dangerous reproduction of viruses is a humid environment, in which all comfortable conditions are created for the transmission of a viral infection.
A small statistics of the viability of coronavirus on various surfaces:
- The virus can be active on plastic and paper for up to 5 days.
- Wooden and glass surfaces can contain the coronavirus for up to 4 days.
- The virus disappears from rubber and metal products in 2 days.
- Aluminum surfaces can contain a dangerous virus for up to 8 hours.
Parcels go for at least 10 days, so during this time the virus will not be active. For complete safety, you can air the goods in the open fresh air or under the sun's rays. High-quality disinfection of the parcel will help keep you and your loved ones healthy.
What tools can be used
Antiseptics containing at least 60% medical alcohol are suitable for processing parcels.
They help destroy harmful viruses and bacteria. Antiseptics can be in the form of alcohol wipes or a bottle containing medical alcohol. Parcels can be disinfected with soapy water. It is better to purchase soap with an antibacterial effect. Chlorhexidine can be used as a disinfectant.
This solution is sold in pharmacies, which has disinfectant properties. They wipe their hands with medical workers to protect against the ingress of a virus and bacteria. You can wipe the surfaces of the parcels with products containing chlorine. It has disinfecting properties against bacteria and viruses.
How to properly disinfect
Your life may depend on this procedure, so you need to take it especially seriously. Following these steps will help to carry out high-quality disinfection and not give the virus more than one chance.
- It is better to pick up parcels in a medical mask and disposable rubber gloves. This will help protect you during direct contact with other people who may be infected. When you get home, throw away your gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Then you need to put on new disposable gloves and start processing the package. An alcohol solution can be applied to a cotton pad or immediately take a medical wipe soaked in alcohol. Before opening, the entire surface of the package must be treated. If the package arrived in a box, it should also be treated with an alcohol solution.
- The parcel can be treated with a disinfectant. For example, such as Sterillium. It does not contain alcohol and contains reliable protection against bacteria and viruses. Surgeons wipe their hands before operations.
- After that, you can proceed to opening the package or box. Solid objects can also be disinfected with Sterillium. It is better to wash clothes and goods made of fabrics by hand in warm water with the addition of powder or soap. A small amount of chlorhexidine can be added to the usual soapy solution. It will not have any effect on clothes and will disinfect from getting a virus.
- All things are best ventilated in the fresh air for 48 hours. Once opened, the box and package must be thrown away immediately.
- If dishes were ordered from the site, it is better to sterilize them completely. To do this, boil the dishes or pour over it with a solution of citric acid.
Such preventive measures contribute to high-quality surface treatment and prevent the spread of a pandemic.
Quarantine for parcels from China
As such, there is no restriction for ordering from Chinese parcel sites.
The main source of infection is a sick person.
The risk of getting coronavirus through parcels is almost zero. Parcels may be delayed at customs, so their arrival at the post office may be delayed. As a preventive measure, it is better to refuse to order food, dietary supplements and cosmetics. For other goods, it is enough to ensure high-quality processing of the parcel and the goods themselves, then it will not pose a threat.
Quarantine is introduced only on food products through which dangerous viruses can enter the human body. Representatives of Aliexpress and other online stores say that it is almost impossible to get infected through parcels. To be sure, it is better to unpack the parcels in the open air. A great place for this would be a balcony or garage. Goods from Chinese sites do not pose a threat, so there is no point in introducing a quarantine regime.