Save the spray, coronavirus can't survive on packaging

There is no need to disinfect the packaging of products purchased in supermarkets as the coronavirus can't survive long in dry conditions, according to local medical expert Zhang Wenhong.

He made the remarks in an online live briefing with overseas Chinese citizens and students living in France.

Zhang, a leading infectious disease expert at Huashan Hospital, was invited by the Chinese Embassy in France to answer questions about the epidemic.

Zhang said the coronavirus cannot exist for long periods in dry conditions.

"Sometimes it lives for several hours and sometimes one day," he said. "Generally, it will die in one or two days. So it very unlikely to get a product that has been touched by a coronavirus patient that has the virus still living on it."

Zhang said cities such as Shanghai and Wuhan, which have controlled the epidemic, don't sterilize packaging. 

It is also a waste of the sterilizing product.

"After opening a parcel, you can bin the packing and then wash your hands," he said.

He suggested students abroad should stock their refrigerators with food to avoid frequent trips to the supermarket.

"Vegetables such as onion and garlic have abundant vitamin C and can be kept in the refrigerator for a long time," he said.

"The first problem that many patients face on their first day of isolation is a lack of nutrition. Many only have some instant noodles and biscuits, which is a mistake. They should also have food such as beef jerky because protein is the most important thing in fighting the disease."

He also advised students to exercise early in the morning when there were few people on the streets.

A distance of 1.5 meters between people is recommended.