No. Hand sanitizer is simply not as effective against norovirus as it at killing other pathogens due to the virus's firm shell, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told TODAY.com recently.

Just like with the flu and COVID, it's important to wash your hands often to prevent the spread of norovirus, but can hand sanitizer be a good substitute?

Atlanta — The U.S. has seen a slow surge of norovirus, the country’s leading cause of foodborne illness, with the Center of Disease Control advising caution and higher levels of cleanliness. However, norovirus can defeat most household cleaners, according to a National Institute of Food and Agriculture report.