The European Union will keep open borders despite the spread of coronavirus and pledged to take a “common position” in order to face the global challenge.

The ministers of health of Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland and San Marino met in Rome today. In a joint statement, they said that closing borders would be a “disproportionate and ineffective measure at this time.” 

Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza called it a “very positive” meeting.

Italy now has the highest number of coronavirus infections outside Asia, with more than 280 cases and at least 11 deaths. Those cases are heavily concentrated in the region of Lombardy.

A woman was tested positive for coronavirus in Barcelona, Spain, while France has confirmed two new more people diagnosed with coronavirus, which makes 14 cases of coronavirus infection in that country.