Collecting items from someone who is immunocompromised protocol

This page describes protocol, or, how to do things with QueerCare. You should check how to read protocol well if you're new to QueerCare.

This page is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our covid protocol still focuses on somewhat older science relating to droplet transmission. We are currently reviewing this. It will be updated rapidly.

It's vital that you don't introduce infection to the house of an immunocompromised person, but there isn't such a high risk of spreading infection from the house, so you can skip a few steps from the Delivering items to someone who is immunocompromised protocol.

How to collect items from someone who is self-isolating because they are immunocompromised.

If you need to collect an item (e.g. cash) from someone who is self-isolating because they are immunocompromised, it is essential that you do not create any risk of passing infection to them.

1. Before you set out, ask the self-isolating person to place the items in a disposable bag, or one which they do not wish to keep.
2. If you will be travelling by private car, bike, wheelchair or scooter, use bleach solution to disinfect the surfaces you are likely to handle on your journey.
3. Shortly before you leave, clean your phone carefully by wiping it with a soapy cloth.
4. Disinfect your front door handle, keys, and anything else you will handle as you leave the house.
5. Put on a mask or cloth face coveringDay-to-day COVID-19 mask protocol just before you leave the house.
6. Wash your hands immediately before leaving the house, after putting on your mask.
7. Travel to see the person, in a way which minimises your risk of exposure to the virus.
   • If possible, travel by pavement, a private car or bike, or a taxi.
   • If you must use public transport, use hand sanitiser after travelling if available, or wear gloves which you can change.
   • If wearing gloves while travelling, remove these immediately after leaving the station, without touching the exterior with your bare skin.
8. As you approach the person's home, phone/message them to open the door.
9. Remain at least two metres away from their front door.
10. Ask the self-isolating person to place the bag of items immediately outside the door, then ask them to shut the door or to back away inside at least 2 metres.
11. Once the door has been shut, pick up the bag, without touching any of the surroundings.

If the person doesn't want to put the item outside the door (for example, because of the weather), you should take additional precautions.

1. As you approach, call/text the person and ask them to open the door.
   • If they live in a block of flats or other building with a communal entrance accessed by a buzzer, call/text and ask them to buzz you in, rather than pressing the button.
2. Use hand sanitiser if you have any.
3. Put on (fresh) gloves if you have any, ensuring that you touch only the cuff of the glove with your bare hand.
4. Remain at least two metres away outside the door, and ask the self-isolating person to to put the bag of items on the floor immediately inside the doorway.
5. Ask them to move at least two metres away inside, then pick up the bag without touching any of the surroundings. Do not step through the door.
6. Step back at least two metres away outside to allow the self-isolating person to close the door.