---
title: "This Disinfectant Can Keep Surfaces Coronavirus-Free for Months"
description: "Scientists in Hong Kong developed a protective anti-viral coating that they say can kill viruses like the coronaviruses for up to three months straight. The disinfectant, dubbed MAP-1, wasn’t a response to the coronavirus: Rather, Reuters reports that Hong Kong University of Science and Technology researchers have been working on it for the […]"
date: "2020-04-28"
modified: "2020-04-28"
authors:
  - name: "Dan Robitzski"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/danrobitzski"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/disinfectant-keep-surfaces-coronavirus-free-months"
categories:
  - "Biology"
  - "Health & Medicine"
  - "Medical"
  - "Pathogens"
  - "Science & Energy"
  - "Viruses"
tags:
  - "antiviral"
  - "biology"
  - "coronavirus"
  - "covid19"
  - "the digest"
---

# This Disinfectant Can Keep Surfaces Coronavirus-Free for Months

![Hong Kong researchers developed a protective coating that they say can kill the coronavirus on treated surfaces for up to three months.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/disinfectant-keep-surfaces-coronavirus-free-three-months.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Reuters\</em\>*

## Protective Coating

Scientists in Hong Kong developed a protective anti-viral coating that they say can kill viruses like the coronaviruses for up to three months straight.

The disinfectant, dubbed MAP-1, wasn't a response to the coronavirus. Rather, *[Reuters ](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hongkong-coating/hk-scientists-say-new-antiviral-coating-can-protect-surfaces-for-90-days-idUSKCN2290S5>)*[reports](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hongkong-coating/hk-scientists-say-new-antiviral-coating-can-protect-surfaces-for-90-days-idUSKCN2290S5>) that Hong Kong University of Science and Technology researchers have been working on it for the last ten years. But all the same, the team expects it to offer "significant" protection against SARS-CoV-2, along with other bacteria and viruses, when it hits Hong Kong shelves in May.

## Coming Soon

After successful clinical tests, MAP-1 will be commercially available in Hong Kong starting in May, *Reuters* reports. It's already been used to coat low-income housing in the city in an attempt to [stave off future coronavirus infections](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/hong-kong-robots-disinfect-subway-trains>).

"I feel like it has strengthened our protection against the virus," Law Ha-yu, who lives in an apartment that received a MAP-1 coating, told *Reuters*.

## Business Class

Unfortunately, MAP-1 is expensive — likely too much so for people to buy it for their homes. But it could be a useful tool for schools, hospitals, and businesses trying to prevent infections.

Down the road, though, *Reuters* reports that a more consumer-friendly product will also become available.

**READ MORE:** [HK scientists say new antiviral coating can protect surfaces for 90 days](<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-hongkong-coating/hk-scientists-say-new-antiviral-coating-can-protect-surfaces-for-90-days-idUSKCN2290S5>) \[*Reuters*\]

**More on the coronavirus:** *[This Virus-Proof Suit Lets You Vape, Have Sex](<https://futurism.com/virus-proof-suit-vape-sex>)*

## Author
Dan Robitzki is a senior reporter for Futurism, where he likes to cover AI, tech ethics, and medicine. He spends his extra time fencing and streaming games from Los Angeles, California.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/danrobitzski>)