French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday condemned unilateral border control measures taken by some EU countries to control the coronavirus, following a phone briefing with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other EU officials.

The discussion between Macron and Merkel came after Germany decided to temporarily introduce border controls on frontiers with Austria, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg and Denmark from Monday to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The EU's executive arm also said on Monday that closing borders was "not the best way" to contain the spread of the coronavirus inside what is normally Europe's cherished zone of free travel.

A European Commission spokesman said any border measures must be well-coordinated to prevent them from aggravating the crisis by impeding food or medical supplies.

Macron, Merkel, the EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and European Council chief Charles Michel also agreed that measures will be enacted on the EU's external borders in the coming hours, according to Macron's office.

Besides, EU leaders will also take part in a crisis video conference Tuesday to coordinate actions to fight the spread of the coronavirus. "Containing the spread of the virus, providing sufficient medical equipment, boosting research and limiting the economic fallout is key," said Michel.

So far, eight EU countries have sealed off their borders including Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Switzerland and the latest Germany.

The World Health Organization announced last week that Europe is now the "epicenter" of the virus with the hardest-hit country being Italy. EU countries have been ramping up their efforts by taking measures such as restricting border controls, suspending flights and implementing lockdowns.

(With input from Reuters)