How long does coronavirus live on surfaces?

By MiNDFOOD

How long does coronavirus live on surfaces?
Of those worried about catching the coronavirus from food deliveries or grocery shopping, many are wondering how long COVID-19 lives on surfaces.

In an interview for the Australian Academy of Science’s The Latest From Science series, Nobel Prize-winning immunologist Professor Peter Doherty AC FRS FAA addresses the question.

“We’re told it can live on cardboard and paper for up to 24 hours,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s likely to be a major source of infection, but it’s something you just might keep in mind when you’re taking hold of the pizza box.”

Using the example of a pizza delivery, Doherty suggested that you should “open the pizza box and then before you take the food out, wash your hands and then put the pizza box somewhere out of the way.”

Doherty said the virus can “certainly survive longer on plastics and on steel certainly survives for at least three days.”

Watch the full interview with Professor Doherty here:

For tips on how to ensure your grocery shopping doesn’t result in the virus entering your home, read our tips for how to shop safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

And find out how to properly disinfect your home with this nurse’s guide.

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