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Highlights SARS-CoV-2 is highly susceptible to irradiation with ultraviolet light. High viral loads of 5 * 10 6 TCID 50 /ml SARS-CoV-2 can be inactivated in 9 minutes by UVC irradiation. UVC irradiation represents a suitable disinfection method for SARS-CoV-2.

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic creates a significant threat to global health. Recent studies suggested the significance of throat and salivary glands as major sites of virus replication and transmission during early COVID-19 thus advocating application of oral antiseptics. However, the antiviral efficacy of oral rinsing solutions against SARS-CoV-2 has not been examined. Here, we evaluated the virucidal activity of different available oral rinses against SARS-CoV-2 under conditions mimicking nasopharyngeal secretions. Several formulations with significant SARS-CoV-2 inactivating properties in vitro support the idea that oral rinsing might reduce the viral load of saliva and could thus lower the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

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