How long does HCoV-19 live on packages (cardboard), door knobs (steel, copper), plastic, and in the air?
Air: 3 hours
Cardboard: 1 day, 2 days to be undetectable
Steel: 2–3 days, 4 days to be undetectable
Plastic: 3 days, 4 days to be undetectable
At room temperature. Scientists store viruses in freezers for years.
Note: No data yet on fabric (clothing), different temperatures or humidities.
[See original for charts]
Short version:
(1) Disinfect your hands after receiving packages, put your clothes in a closet for 3-4 days, and take a shower.
(2) Let packages sit unopened for 1.5–2 days (at room temperature, not in cool areas). 3–5 days if there are any plastic or metal items inside.
Scientists store viruses for years in freezers, so don’t leave the package anywhere cold (i.e. a garage in wintertime).
Long version:
Be careful receiving packages.
Virus from China on the package is probably almost all inactive, but might still be active on plastic or steel inside the package (if package shipped from China faster than 5–7 days).
What is more important is virus from your Amazon/FedEx/UPS/USPS delivery person, carrying a package from a truck to your door/mailbox & receiving virus in the air from neighbors or pedestrians, or while sitting in staging/storage areas inside the US.
‘Terrified’ Package Delivery Employees Are Going to Work Sick (New York Times, 3/21/20)
(1) Possibly pick up the package with kitchen gloves (not disposable - save the environment). I’m not this worried yet - I still use my bare hands.
(2) Put the package down.
If you want to use soap/water, find three cloths. Get one cloth wet and soapy. Second cloth wet. Third cloth dry. After you are done, watch all cloths in soapy water.
(3) Wipe down package with disinfectant wipes or soap/water if you want to to open it right away…or let the package sit somewhere safe for 36–48 hrs (which lets any virus on the cardboard inactivate). I ordered vitamins from Amazon on Mon (next-day delivery), let the package sit in my mailbox for 24 hours, then let it sit inside 2 days before opening it today (Saturday, 5 days after the order). 3–5 days is enough for virus on the plastic around my vitamin bottles to mostly inactivate.
(4) Wash your hands with soap after receiving the package, BEFORE opening package.
(5) So before you open the package,
(a) Your hands should be clean & washed with soap for 20+ sec.
Might even takeoff clothes & take a shower first. - I’m not this worried yet.
Don’t contaminate items inside the package with virus from your body or your clothes.
(b) Package is either cleaned (disinfectant or soap/water) or has been sitting somewhere for 36–48 hrs.
(6) Open package.
(7) HCoV-19 half-lives on Plastic 6.8 hrs or Steel 5.6 hrs.
If you have metal or plastic items in the package, and they might have been touched within the last 3–4 days, wipe them down.
(8) To be really safe, don’t open the package for 5–7 days.
Mitchell Tsai's answer to How long does CoV19 last on surfaces?
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NOTE: Same advice applies to cardboard packages you buy at Target, K-Mart, WalMart, Costco, Grocery Store, Gas Station etc… and anything from Amazon or internet retailers. HCoV-19 has arrived in the US.
This advice sounds paranoid, but it’s apparently the new normal for the next few months. Treat the package as if you are working in a low-level biosafety lab.
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