It is "premature" to assume that the coronavirus scare will lead to the cancellation of the 2020 Cannes Festival Festival, a spokeswoman of the film gala has said. Her remarks came in the wake of the Cannes region reporting its first coronavirus case. [Exclusive] Hina Khan Reacts to YRKKH Co-star Shivangi Joshi's Cannes 2020 Debut, Says 'I'm Proud of Her' (Watch Video).

"The Festival de Cannes is monitoring carefully the developments and the latest guidelines provided by the local, national and international authorities regarding the coronavirus, and is in direct link with the Alpes-Maritimes' administrative office,” the official told Variety.

"As of today, it is still premature to express assumptions on an event scheduled in two months and a half," she added.

The spokeswoman further said that festival will be ready to "take all the necessary measures, aiming at ensuring the protection of all attendees and preserving their health during the event in Cannes".

The deadly virus epidemic which broke out in China has so far claimed the lives of 2,835 people while the number of confirmed cases climbed to 79,251, Chinese health officials said on Saturday.

The virus has also spread across the world, with a rising number of cases reported in more than 50 countries and territories.

The 2020 Cannes Film Festival will take place from May 12 to 23 this year.