According to the WHO, COVID-19 also can spread through infected surfaces. Airborne droplets from an infected person can land on surfaces or objects. If uninfected people touch infected objects or surfaces and then touch their noses, mouths, or eyes, the disease potentially can spread. Many people have questions about how long the virus can survive on specific surfaces. The New England Journal of Medicine published research on how long the coronavirus could last on certain surfaces in a controlled environment:
In the Air: The virus was detectable for up to three hours
Cardboard: The virus was detectable for up to 24 hours
Copper: The virus was detectable for up to four hours
Plastic: The virus was detectable for up to three days
Stainless steel: The virus was detectable for up to three days
The study authors reported that the amount of virus on those surfaces decreases over time.