Delivering items to someone who is (potentially) infected 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. It will be updated rapidly.

This is the protocol for delivering items to someone who is in self isolation due to being infected or likely infected. It is designed so you do not take away virus from an already-infected home.

The person delivering should not enter the recipient's home at any point during this process, to prevent the virus from being spread into or out of the house (on shoes etc). People receiving deliveries should be aware that anyone who attempts to gain entry is not acting according to protocol.

(See 'Entering a house where someone is (potentially) infected' for situations where this is necessary.)

This is a modified and stripped down version of delivering items to someone in self isolation protocol with some of the steps required to prevent transmission into a home having been removed. If you are delivering to someone who is self-isolating due to being immunocompromised you must use that protocol rather than this one!

When delivering to a possibly-infected person, you should still take steps to minimise the risk of virus transmission on the journey: this protects your own health, and the health of the recipient (they might not actually have COVID-19, or you might pick up another virus which makes their condition worse).

How to deliver items to someone infected in self isolation

1. With freshly washed hands,place the items you're going to deliver into a disposable bag.. If using public transport, place this inside another bag to protect it from contamination during travel.
2. Travel to see the person, in a way which minimises your risk of exposure to the virus.
   • If possible, travel by pavement, a bike, a private car, 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 them immediately after leaving the station, without touching the exterior with your bare skin. (See the glove protocol for full instructions).
3. Put on a mask or cloth face covering if you are not already wearing one.
   • Handle it by the earloops/straps only, so that you do not touch your face.
   • Sanitise your hands before and after putting it on, if possible.
4. Remove the bag of goods and place it immediately outside the door, so that the person can reach it from inside.
5. After putting the bag down, step back at least two metres. Phone the person to tell them that their delivery is outside.
6. Remain at least two metres away while they open the door to retrieve it.
7. Clean your hands with hand sanitiser for more than 20 seconds if possible. Leave.
8. When you get back, wash your hands thoroughly before removing your mask, and again after removing your mask.
9. Disinfect items you have used.

Items (e.g. cash) must not be removed from a potentially-infected house unless there is absolutely no alternative. In this case, see 'Collecting items from someone who is (potentially) infected.

If the person is not willing for the goods to be placed outside the door (for example, in severe weather conditions), you must take additional precautions.

1. Phone/call them to open the door, remaining at least two metres away.
2. Put on a mask or cloth face covering if you are not already wearing one.
   • Handle it by the earloops/straps only.
   • Sanitise your hands before and after putting it on, if possible
3. Put on gloves if you have any.
4. Ask the recipient to back away from the door at least two meters inside, and put the bag of goods on the floor inside the doorway. Do not step through the door or touch any of the surroundings.
5. Back away two meters outside, and let them get the items by picking up the bag while you remain at a distance of two meters.
6. Take your gloves off, without touching the exterior of the glove with your bare skin. Place them in an empty plastic bag until you can dispose of them.
7. Clean your hands with hand sanitiser for at least 20 seconds if possible.
8. When you get back, wash your hands thoroughly before removing your mask, and again after removing your mask.
9. Disinfect items you have used.