Paris, Feb 29 (IANS) The Paris half marathon, which was scheduled for Sunday, has been cancelled over fears of the COVID-19 virus, France's Minister of Health Olivier Veran announced on Saturday.

The decision followed a special meeting of ministers to discuss measures to deal with the virus, which has infected 73 people in the country after 16 additional cases were announced on Saturday, Xinhua news reports.

The French government has ordered the cancellation of "gatherings of more than 5,000 people" in enclosed areas and some external events.

There were 44,000 entrants registered for this year's Paris half-marathon.

--IANS rkm/bg