The amount of time that COVID-19 can survive in the air depends on how well ventilated the area is. An outdoor area carries the lowest risk of disease transmission, while respiratory fluids can accumulate in the air for several hours in a poorly ventilated indoor space. On a porous surface, such as paper, cardboard, or fabric, the coronavirus cannot survive longer than a few minutes to a few hours. On non-porous surfaces, such as stainless steel, glass, or plastic, the coronavirus can survive for several days to several weeks. The risk of being exposed to COVID-19 by coming into contact with an infected surface is lower than the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 through respiratory droplets and aerosols in the air.