SAN JOSE — China has been handling a novel coronavirus outbreak in a "responsible" and "transparent" manner, Costa Rican Health Minister Daniel Salas has said.

The Chinese authorities "have been quite responsible in terms of undertaking the measures to contain (the virus)," Salas told Xinhua on Feb 4.

"Managing so many people is a real challenge. They have been handling it and it is laudable that they have been very transparent with the WHO," he said, stressing that Costa Rica has no plans to close its borders to anyone as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"We follow the recommendations of the leading specialists worldwide ... They have said at the WHO's emergency committee that at this time there is no need to close borders," he said, adding that the virus' low mortality rate does not justify such a drastic measure.