Russian officials have ordered closed more than half of the crossing points along its 2,600-mile border with China, citing concerns about the Wuhan coronavirus that has so far sickened nearly 8,000 people around the world and killed 170 within China.

“We have to do everything to protect our people,” Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said at a televised cabinet meeting on Thursday, The New York Times reported.

The crossing points will shut down as of midnight on Friday, local time, according to the newspaper.

Officials have not confirmed any coronavirus cases in Russia, but its government has been on edge nevertheless. On Thursday, the foreign ministry issued a statement strongly advising its citizens not to travel to China unless “absolutely necessary.”

The government also temporarily suspended electronic visas for Chinese citizens, according to the statement.

Cases have been reported so far in Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam.

The Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have originated, is on lockdown to contain the virus, and residents are entering their eighth day of quarantine.

The World Health Organization also met Thursday and declared an international public health emergency over the virus.