It's not airborne
You are right, it is not technically an airborne virus. However, the virus does travel in air which is contaminated with the virus.
"The new coronavirus spreads mostly through person-to-person contact within about a 6-foot (1.8 meters) radius, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People with COVID-19, which is the disease caused by the coronavirus, spread viral particles through coughing and sneezing. The particles can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby.
....the virus is not thought to spread via smaller droplets that can remain airborne for long periods of time."
The bottom line is because this is a new virus, there is a lot science doesn't know about it yet.