The coronavirus pandemic has given everyone a lot of food for thought on whether or not it's safe to order food for takeout, delivery or pick-up. The short answer is yes, it's absolutely fine – but there are a few extra steps you can take to keep safe. From the best way to order and tipping to proper packaging handling, here is a list of best practices to follow.

All the experts agree: the single most important thing you can do when it comes to ordering takeout is to wash your hands, frequently. Wash them or use sanitiser after you handle delivery bags and containers, and always before you eat.

Want to order food? There's an app for that. Actually, there are several apps for that – but they're not all created equal. There are some notable differences in how much some apps charge, how they treat their drivers and how well they support the restaurants they work with.

Delivery numbers have spiked amid the coronavirus crisis and some apps have upped their fees for either users, restaurants or both. In fact, New York City has now placed a cap on how much delivery apps can charge restaurants to use their services. And apps operating in Chicago must provide itemized receipts that show exactly where (and to whom) your money goes – although some restaurants have said that companies have largely ignored this mandate. In the UK, Deliveroo takes up to 35% commission on orders.

Delivery apps are popular but restaurants benefit the most from direct orders. If you really want to support your local dining scene or favourite restaurant, check and see if they offer direct delivery.

Before ordering, check with the restaurant and ask what precautions are in place when it comes to the people who are handling your food. Getting this kind of feedback can help you decide if you feel comfortable ordering food from them.

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It may come as a surprise but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises food workers not to wear gloves when preparing or packaging food. Why? They found that workers tended to wash their hands less when they were wearing gloves. The specific rules and regulations will vary from city to city and country to country, so do your research and know the protocols they should be following before you call.

Request your delivery order without disposable cutlery. Not only does it lower any cross-contamination risk, but it also means less waste which is better for the environment. You've got your own forks, knives and spoons at home so there's no excuse!

While lockdowns persist and reopenings come in phases, delivery is one of the only things keeping restaurants afloat. Delivery people are an essential part of that operation. Many food delivery drivers were struggling with questionable working conditions and pay before the pandemic hit. Being a generous tipper during these hard times is a great way to show your appreciation for them.

Got the goods? Put the bag into your kitchen sink to keep possible contamination under control. The catch? You just have to be ready with a clean, dry sink by the time the food arrives. Sometimes that's easier said than remembered.

Your sink may be big enough to hold your delivery bag but chances are you'll need a little space to unpack containers. Think ahead and clear off enough space on the counter so you're ready when the bell rings and your food arrives. Try to make enough space so the containers won't be touching – and possibly contaminating – anything nearby.

We know you're hungry but resist the urge to eat food straight out of the takeout container. Although the risk of infection from food packaging is thought to be very low, some studies have shown that the virus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic for several days. Stay safe and transfer food into a dish or plate you've got at home before eating it.

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Wash or use hand sanitiser before you move food from the takeout container into your own dishes, or use utensils like a spoon, spatula or fork. Remember your hands could have been exposed to whatever contaminates may be on the takeaway bags and containers, and that could easily transfer to your food without the proper precautions. Even though the risk is low, it's hygienic anyway.

As the virus can survive on common delivery container surfaces like cardboard and plastic, it's best to toss delivery containers after you transfer the food into your own dishes. Don't forget to wash your hands afterwards!

After you've transferred your food onto your own dishes and thrown away the takeout containers, give the sink and counter a thorough clean with antibacterial disinfectant to remove any possible contagions from the containers.

Didn't finish all your food? Don't store leftovers in their original delivery containers. Instead, pop whatever's left into your own food storage containers or plastic bags. This way you prevent any possible contamination getting inside your fridge and on the shelves.

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Many diners think ordering hot food is safer than ordering cold food since cooked foods have been exposed to high temperatures that could kill the virus. However, no evidence confirms that hot foods are safer. Besides, even if a food is cooked hot, it's handled by various people before reaching your dinner table.

The most dangerous part of ordering takeout isn't the food, it's the delivery. Face-to-face delivery drop-offs put both you and your delivery person in danger since it requires contact. If you must do a direct handover, be sure to wear a mask.

The safest delivery method is contactless delivery. This option is becoming more and more popular and is easy to request, even if you don't see it listed when you order. All it means is that your food will be delivered without any face-to-face interaction with the delivery person. They will either leave it outside your front door, in your apartment lobby or in the building stairwell, and text or call to let you know it's been delivered.

If you're still paying for your delivery with cash, it's time to change your ways. Cash may be king but it's also carrying germs and usually requires some kind of face-to-face exchange, which is best to avoid. Most delivery apps and websites have a card or PayPal option which is a safer payment choice.

Take a glove when you're doing food pick-up. Slip a glove on the hand used to grab your to-go order. Use your non-gloved hand to open the car door and move anything out of the way before setting your takeout bag down. Be sure to remove the glove before touching the steering wheel to avoid any cross-contamination.

Getting your food from a drive-thru? Wear a mask when you approach the pick-up window to help protect you. Drive-thru pick-ups are a little riskier than delivery since you will have a direct handover, so be prepared and take precautions.

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Immediately put any takeout bags somewhere on the floor of your car. This way, you're keeping any possible contamination in an area that doesn't touch much except the bottom of your shoes.

Keep a bottle of hand sanitiser in the car for easy access after handling your pick-up food. Sanitise your hands each time after touching the takeout bag or removing any gloves, and before touching anything else in the car like the steering wheel or hand brake.

Mail-order meal kits, food and delivered groceries are convenient and can be another way to support restaurants and producers, who have pivoted to offer this option. But proper food safety during transit is paramount. Make sure the company uses insulated packaging and food is cold or frozen, if it should be. Ensure someone is at home to receive the delivery so it can be stored correctly straight away, instead of sitting out.

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Worried that you might contract coronavirus from your food? According to experts, it's not likely. COVID-19 is mostly spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets, and there's currently no evidence to suggest that handling food or consuming food is associated with coronavirus. And, although it's not nice to think about a cook accidentally sneezing or coughing while preparing your food, the likelihood of catching the virus in this way is low.

If there's only one thing you take away from this, let it be that you need to wash your hands before you eat. Use soapy water and lather up for 20 to 30 seconds. This will effectively kill any possible bits of the virus that you may have come into contact with on your food packaging. Now, relax, enjoy and eat.

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