Canada's Health Minister Patty Hajdu Friday said Canada is not ready to declare a national emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.

She said the current evidence doesn't justify such a declaration or restrictions on the movement of foreign nationals into the country like the ones the United States and other countries have imposed.

"We've been following closely the recommendations of the World Health Organization," Hajdu said.

Hajdu said Health Canada maintains there is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted by people who are asymptomatic. "We're comfortable that we're completely up to date in terms of our approach and what the science says. There is a very low risk to Canadians," Hajdu said.

The U.S. declared a public health emergency on Friday in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus.