The coronavirus is not airborne like tuberculosis, measles, or smallpox, which can be spread through the air. The transmission of COVID-19 occurs mostly through aerosol respiratory droplets, which can perpetuate the virus and cause infection in others. When someone coughs or sneezes, the droplets can infect another human being, especially if it gets into the airways.
Droplets, on average, do not travel more than six feet (about two meters) and do not linger in the air. This reason is why they are telling us to practice social distancing by keeping at a minimum of six feet away from people at all times. The CDC is now advocating the use of face masks in public.
Infected surfaces that possess viruses can remain alive in the air for many hours. That being said, since we still do not have enough research to be able to know or understand this virus, it is a good idea to take airborne precautions.