Q. How long does the virus live on a package?
A. In a guide to cleaning and disinfecting in households that have suspected or confirmed cases of CV-19, the CDC says that the virus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials such as metals or plastic. The virus “could” survive on cardboard up to 24 hours according to NAIAID, NIH and recent data published in the MIT Review. In most studies, there is very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days at ambient temperatures. Again, while the risk is low, it cannot be excluded.
Q. Should I disinfect my packages?
A. The CDC’s advice on protecting yourself does not include advice on disinfecting packages. It’s advice continues to be consistent and universal in the guidance to wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with people. The CDC advised with research continuing, the virus is thought to be primarily transmitted through “respiratory droplets” between people who are within 6 feet of one another. It is not ruled out that a person can get CV-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes but that is not the main way the virus spreads.
OSHA says, similarly, in its guidance to control and prevention that there is no evidence that CV-19 is spread through environmental exposures such as contact with contaminated surfaces. To be extra-cautious, particularly if you are in a higher risk group, you can dispose of outer packaging outside of your home and wash hands immediately after handling. But this is not likely necessary for most people handling packages.
Remember too, that on the way to picking up your package that you may be touching a number of things that qualify as a “frequently touched surface” like elevator buttons, doorknobs, or the stylus you used to sign for the package. Being situationally aware of your contact with these surfaces is just as important-any maybe more important-than the way you handle a package. Washing your hands will reduce the risk of infection from these high touch surfaces.
Q. What are delivery services doing to keep packages safe?
A. Of course the person who touches your package last is likely your delivery person and it is always in everyone’s best interest to make sure they are staying healthy. When we reached out to UPS to ask about package safety, they pointed us to a statement on their website that said “If a UPS employee experiences symptoms they are to seek medical treatment immediately. If you want to limit contact with a UPS delivery driver, you can use UPS My Choice for free to leave instructions on your deliveries”. The United States Postal Service says simply that it is following CDC published safety guidelines. Fed-Ex says it encourages employees to monitor their health and is asking anyone with flu like symptoms to stay home while enforcing the practice of sanitizing trucks and stores regularly.
Amazon wrote that it is following CDC guidelines and that it has created a relief fund which would allow independent delivery drivers who have CV-19 or have to quarantine to apply for grants equal to two weeks’ pay paid by government or Amazon.
Each service says they are continuing to deliver packages and are prioritizing healthcare and food supplies to its customers. Be kind to the people working hard to get your packages to you and practice good hygiene when touching the things they touch.
