Dr Freestone told us ‘a recent laboratory study showed the virus could be detected in a viable and so infectious form for up 24hrs on cardboard, and 2-3 days on plastics.’ Though the WHO says that the likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low.

Postal workers and couriers have been briefed on minimising contact during deliveries and taking precautions with handling packages, but to be on the safe side you should dispose of packaging and wash your hands afterwards. The FSA says that it is very unlikely that people could catch COVID-19 from food, and it is not known to be transmitted by exposure to food or food packaging. You should take care to wash your hands before preparing food, as you usually would.