Closing borders inside Schengen area due to coronavirus is not practical, since the virus is already present in all member countries, the European Commission spokesperson Eric Mamer said at a briefing in Brussels.

However, he added that the EU member states can take the measures that they consider appropriate to ensure public health and safety.

Novel coronavirus is now spread in 130 countries and was declared a pandemic by WHO. According to the latest data, over 6,000 people died and over 160 thousand were infected.