The epidemic of the new coronavirus is spreading more and more rapidly. According to the Beijing Health Commission, the number of infected people in the country increased only Friday, with as many as 1,981 to 9,692. Another 42 died from the virus, bringing the total death toll to 213. Infections and deaths in China account for the largest daily increase.

Outside the People’s Republic, more than 120 infections have already been detected in about 20 countries. In Germany, the Bavarian Ministry of Health confirmed the fifth case. The patient is an employee of Webasto, who, like four other patients, became infected by a colleague from China.

In this background, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the spread of the virus as a “global public health emergency” on Thursday night. Activating this status means making recommendations to all countries on how to prevent or reduce the spread of the disease across borders. The 190 Member States will coordinate the crisis measures recommended by the WHO. At the same time, the WHO does not impose restrictions on travel and commerce.

A public health emergency under WHO rules occurs when the situation has become serious, sudden, and unusual; when it has consequences for the health of people outside the national borders of the country concerned and may require immediate international action.

The organization does not have the means to penalize states but may ask governments for explanations for imposing transport or trade restrictions in the event of an international emergency.