Holiday shopping during COVID-19: Do's and don'ts

By Mayo Clinic staff

As the holiday season gets underway, shopping may look a lot different this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When choosing retail stores to visit, John O'Horo, M.D., M.P.H., a Mayo Clinic infectious diseases physician, recommends looking for businesses that take extra precaution to create an environment that limits exposure to the virus — and be sure to follow those important protocols.

In this video, Dr. O'Horo provides a tour through one such retail business:

Look for businesses that offer safety precautions for customers and staff, including:

• Enforces face mask policy
• Offers face masks if you forget one
• Hand sanitizer at entrance
• Touchfree payment options
• Encourages social distancing
• Limits the number of customers in the store at one time

Dr. O'Horo says it's important that everyone do their part to help reduce community spread of COVID-19. Stay home and refrain from shopping or being around others if you are not feeling well, if you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or if you have a fever.