Norton Rose Fulbright and Morrison & Foerster are the latest law firms to back out of attending international real estate event MIPIM due to concerns over coronavirus.

They join a number of companies to quit the event, including Cushman & Wakefield, Blackstone, Legal & General, Lloyds Banking Group, Knight Frank and EY.

Pinsent Masons is also currently considering whether it will attend the event, which takes place in Cannes next month, according to a person at the firm. Meanwhile, Reed Smith too is considering its position in relation to the event, according to a person close to the firm.

A spokesperson for Morrison & Foerster confirmed the decision and said in a statement: "The health and safety of our people, clients and other guests, as well as their loved ones back home, will always be our utmost priority."

Local reports today claim that a 23- year old testing positive for the disease in Cannes.

Coronavirus has already heavily impacted the legal industry.

On Thursday, Baker McKenzie closed its London office temporarily following the potential outbreak of a case of the virus.

The law firm sent its lawyers and staff members to work from home on Thursday after someone at the firm reported feeling unwell upon their return from Northern Italy. The firm has not disclosed whether the individual is being tested in hospital.

That followed a raft of international law firms closing their Milan offices as a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 outbreak threatening the region.

Earlier this week, Canary Wharf-headquartered oil giant Chevron closed off its offices due to a suspected coronavirus outbreak as well.

The virus has now spread to 47 countries, infecting at least 82,000 people, and has now killed more than 2,800 people as of Thursday, according to the World Health Organization.