Covid airborne, spreads when infected people cough, sneeze or talk: Centre revises rules New Delhi Revising its Covid-19 clinical management guidelines, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said the virus spreads âpredominantly through the airborne route and droplet released when the infected person coughs, sneezes or talks". The revision about the virusâs spread marks a change from its last yearâs protocol that stated the infection spreads through close contact. âThese droplets may also land on surfaces, where the virus has been seen to remain viable for a variable duration of time depending on the type of surface. Infection can also occur if a perÂson touches an infected surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. (known as fomite transmission)," the MinÂiÂsÂtryâs NatiÂonal Clinical ManaÂgement ProtoÂcol for Covid stated, as per IBN.