The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it would study fresh evidence on airborne transmission of the coronavirus.
"The possibility of airborne transmission in public settings - especially in very specific conditions, crowded, closed, poorly ventilated settings that have been described, cannot be ruled out," said Benedetta Allegranzi, WHO's technical lead for infection prevention and control.
The organisation said the new evidence, put forth by a group of 239 scientist, will be studied and its guidelines revised accordingly.
Previously, the WHO had said the virus spreads primarily through small droplets expelled from the nose and mouth of an infected person that quickly sink to the ground.
5 dead, more than 80 missing after Philippine ferry fire
US military says it struck vessel in Caribbean, killing 3
At least 14 killed in explosion at weapons depot in Syria
US hits five Iranian oil tankers after attack on Navy ships
UK gives air traffic provider a week to probe outage that halted flights
Serbia's President Vucic dissolves parliament, calls snap elections
With large crowds attending, Norway lays King Harald to rest
Jordan intercepts 18 Iranian ballistic missiles
