The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is currently spreading worldwide, resulting in widespread infections. Although infection control measures for maintaining physical distance between people and decreasing opportunities for close contact are effective, the global infection rate continues to increase. Conversely, data concerning potentially effective countermeasures related to person-to-object contact are sparse. This study focused on human contact behavior with objects and discussed control measures against infection at various locations where contact between people and objects occurs based on the relationship between human behavior and the objects in question. In this study, 1,260 subjects residing in Tokyo and the Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, were surveyed regarding their activities on days when they went outside (between December 3 [Thursday] and December 7 [Monday], 2020) and the objects they touched during this period. The survey results revealed that, depending on the location, the types and numbers of objects that were touched differed, and the respective mean values of contact objects differed significantly. Previous studies have particularly noted the remnants of viruses on doorknobs and toilets; however, the general dynamics of these contact numbers indicated that the percentage of people coming into contact with these objects is small. Although it is impossible to disinfect all objects and spaces, our findings will provide insights into human behavior and contact with objects. These findings are expected to contribute to the prioritization of disinfection during periods of widespread infection.

This study focused on human contact behavior with objects and discussed countermeasures during the COVID-19 pandemic across 15 location types. Reducing contact with objects and disinfecting items can be implemented at a relatively low cost. We created a protocol for organizing the objects, and 1260 subjects who went outside during a day between December 3–7, 2020 in Tokyo and Kanagawa, Japan were surveyed. The participants touched 7317 objects in total; the most common objects were doors, chairs, baskets, elevator equipment, and cash. One-way analysis of variance and Scheffé’s multiple comparison test showed that supermarkets had the lowest mean and median values despite having the highest number of users, contact objects, and object types. Conversely, the values for hotels were the highest, significantly higher than that for other places, excluding amusement parks, workplaces, and schools and universities. Furthermore, the long-tailed frequency distribution of the number of objects suggests that the objects touched by many individuals are limited; thus, it is important to determine the objects to be prioritized for disinfection at each location. The data and protocol could inform infection countermeasures that properly address the contact realities as they pertain to people’s behavior and objects.