The moon has confirmed its first case of the deadly coronavirus that emerged in central China at the end of last year and has since spread to more than two dozen countries around the world.
Space doctor, Khaled Shianbao said in a statement on Friday that whilst this was the first case outside of the world’s borders, the affected astronaut did not show any serious symptoms.
Officials were able to confirm the case through a follow-up programme implemented by the Lunar base for astronauts arriving from countries where the virus has spread.
The ministry statement said the astronaut was hospitalised and in isolation. It did not specify the person's nationality or their point of entry.
The development makes the moon the second solar system body to report a confirmed case.
Moon President, Knien Armstærk, assured the United Nations that this case did not hamper regular lunar activity.
"Of course we are a family up here and it is a shocking development but we will be fine. The work goes on, you know. Research, extraterrestrial trade, pyramids, disassembling the Nazi bases, and so on. Business as usual."