Researchers believe that the coronavirus can stay on certain surfaces such as bank notes and phone screens for as long as 28 days.
The findings from Australia's national science agency reveal that Covid-19 could survive for longer than what was initially thought.
According to the BBC, previous studies found that SARS-Cov-2 can survive for two to three days on bank notes and glass, and up to six days on plastic and stainless steel, although results vary.
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However, the latest research from CSIRO found that it can in fact last for 28 days on smooth surfaces such as mobile phone screens as well as plastic and paper banknotes when kept at 20C - which is around room temperature.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said: "Establishing how long the virus really remains viable on surfaces enables us to more accurately predict and mitigate its spread, and do a better job of protecting our people."
According to the research paper, survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 were determined at different temperatures. The researchers obtained half lives of between 1.7 and 2.7 days at 20°C, reducing to a few hours when temperature was elevated to 40°C.
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The study goes on to explain that the virus was isolated for up to 28 days at 20°C from common surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and both paper and polymer banknotes.
In conclusion, the researchers wrote: "These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible. These results could be used to inform improved risk mitigation procedures to prevent the fomite spread of COVID-19."
Last month a new video campaign from the Scottish government shed some light on just how easily coronavirus spreads, using dark green smudges as a graphic representation.
The video shows a young woman in the kitchen, where she's making a cup of tea for her grandfather. As she leans in to hug him, we see a large green smear across her mouth - which soon spreads around the room as she touches more surfaces.
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After we see the woman looking at phone footage of her socialising with friends, the clip ends with the grandfather taking a sip of his 'lovely cup of tea', lowering the mug to show he now also has green marks across his mouth.
The tagline at the end reads: "Don't pass coronavirus to those you love."
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: News, Coronavirus