Citriodiol is known to be effective against the deadly and similar virus Sars.
Experts at Porton Down research lab in Wilts are now studying the spray.
Supplies have also been issued to troops.
If effective against the virus, it could be added to hand gel, soap and masks.
Citriodiol uses oil from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.
Jacqueline Watson, boss at Citrefine International, said: “If it is tested and found to be effective then we’d be very happy to do what we can to help.”
The Ministry of Defence said its Defence Science and Technology Laboratory started tests on Tuesday.
A source said: “Some very bright people decided to look at what might help fairly quickly in this crisis and they came up with a range of measures of which this is one.”
Ms Watson added: “Obviously, though the next step would be for us to talk to the relevant people in the government to understand how this could be deployed most effectively.”
“The key thing that is really interesting, is that there is a good reason to believe that there would be a residual effect from it.
“The reason it works as an insect repellant is because it stays on your skin over a number of hours and evaporates slowly.
“Adding it to something like the hand gel would mean it could be left behind on the skin and potentially work for hours and have a residual impact.
“That would mean if the virus comes into contact with your skin it is killed, and therefore not picked up on your hands and transmitted elsewhere.
“So that’s how we would hope that it will work and if it can be proven will be effective over time.”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.hellofaread.com/politics/the-damage-being-done-to-our-kids-education-during-lockdown-is-a-disaster/
