Bayern Munich's supporters create the club sign in the stands during the German first division football Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Augsburg in Munich, southern Germany, on March 8, 2020. (CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)

German Health Minister Jens Spahn blasted a decision to allow spectators to attend Saturday’s Bundesliga soccer match between Union Berlin and champions Bayern Munich, citing concerns that mass gatherings can help spread the coronavirus.

Most upcoming matches in Germany’s top league are taking place behind closed doors due to the outbreak, but hosts Union said authorities in the capital had decided not to ban fans from the Bayern game. Spahn has advised against holding public events of more than 1,000 people as Germany battles to prevent the spread of the virus that has infected almost 1,300 across the nation and caused two deaths.

I am a bit surprised I must say about what is happening in Berlin with this soccer match

Jens Spahn, Health Minister, Germany

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“I am a bit surprised I must say about what is happening in Berlin with this soccer match,” Spahn said in an interview with DLF radio Wednesday. Comments by officials from Union “show that they don’t have a full understanding of what this is about right now.”

Union said authorities in the district of Treptow-Koepenick, where its 22,000-capacity stadium is located, made their decision after “extensive examination of the current risk assessments.” Berlin has 48 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to the Robert Koch Institute.

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“The specific conditions of the event were taken into account, as well as the club’s comprehensive catalog of measures for stadium hygiene and prevention before and during the event,” Union said on its website.

Bavarian authorities on Tuesday decided to prohibit events of more than 1,000 people until April 19, meaning Bayern’s Champions League match against London’s Chelsea FC next week will be played without fans.