France not considering closing Italy border

French Health Minister Olivier Veran on Tuesday said that France is not considering closing its border with Italy nor banning big gatherings of people in the country amid concerns over the new virus originating in China.

Speaking in Paris to French radio station RTL, Veran was asked about a Lyon-Juventus soccer match Wednesday in Lyon, where about 3,000 Italian fans are expected.

He said: "There is no medical and scientific argument that would lead us to suspend collective events of this nature."

France has 12 confirmed cases of the virus, with one death.

Italy has 229 confirmed cases, with seven deaths.