The novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 resembles the one that initiated a rather weak epidemy in 2003 (SARS-CoV-1).

Both cause a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.  The virus is a molecular assembly, and not alive. The name reflects on its crown-like appearance when seen in electron microscopy.

The RNA (red/black) in its center is encapsulated
by an envelope that contains proteins (dark blue) specifically
targeting the body cell to he hijacked, and, as a matter of luck,
fat-like molecules (lipoids, lighter blue) that can be dissolved
solvent that contain detergent-like compounds (alcohols,
tensides, ... ). Infection involves the transfer of the viral RNA
into a body cell where it overtakes the cell biochemistry for
proliferation, finally killing the cell, infecting new cells and initiating
the disease symptoms.

Vaccination and treatment will aim to bind to the proteins,

but disinfection and cleaning will aim to target the
lipid part of the envelope, in order to de-activate the virus,
and to dissolve its elements for removal with an aqueous solvent.

Further information can be found here:

Danish:   https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2

English:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severe_acute_respiratory_syndrome_coronavirus_2

German: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SARS-CoV-2