According to a February 21, 2020 report by the World Health Organisation, other Corona viruses have survived for up to two years at -20°C.

Upon further studies, viruses like SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have shown the capability of surviving for multiple days on different surfaces on the basis of a number of parameters like temperature, humidity, light, etc. The report also states that at refrigeration temperature (4°C), MERS-CoV can remain viable for up to 72 hours.

NBC Bay Area it is mentioned that the SARS-CoV virus could stay alive for up to 28 days in a low-humidity, low-temperature atmosphere which is similar to the inside of an average refrigerator. They claim this on the basis of a study done by the American Society for Microbiology in 2010.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for the ongoing pandemic behaves in a similar manner as the SARS-CoV virus.

As alarming as that sounds, there are ways to make sure that the virus does not make it to the cold and low-humid environment of the fridge.

In an interview with NBC Bay Area, Dr. Warner Greene, a leading virologist and research scientist with the Gladstone Institutes in San Francisco, USA explains a few preventive measures.

1. Use a bowl of alcohol based (or soap) disinfectant to patiently wipe down every container that goes inside the fridge.

2. Considering the fact that disinfectants are hard to come by right now, Dr. Greene also suggested a DIY method as well. Mix ⅓ cups of bleach with 4 litres of water. You can also use soap with warm water.

3. You must also make sure to wipe the place where you had kept the containers before placing them in your fridge.

4. Finally wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap to get rid of any possible virus strains that got stuck to your hands while decontamination.