This is how long coronavirus can live on surfaces outside the body

People can become infected with Covid-19 after touching unwashed surfaces.

Like many other coronaviruses, the Covid-19 strain is often spread through the air in tiny droplets from the noses and mouths of infected people.

Each cough can fire around 3,000 droplets onto other surfaces. The droplets can land on the surfaces themselves, or be carried there by unwashed hands that were used to cover the cough.

The virus can be spread to dozens of commonly touched surfaces, like desks and tables, computers, phones and stationery - as well as door handles and light switches.

Healthy people can then contract Covid-19 by touching the surface with their hand and then later touching their face, nose, or mouth with the same hand.

Studies on other types of coronavirus, like Sars and Mers, discovered that the viruses can survive outside the body for up to nine days at normal temperatures - and for four weeks in cold climates.