European markets opened higher Tuesday with the fast-spreading coronavirus putting the continent in shutdown mode and fueling fears of an impending recession.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 climbed 2.7% at the start of trading, autos adding 5% to lead gains as all sectors except travel and leisure entered positive territory.

Europe's lockdown over the coronavirus continues to dominate headlines. Italy and Spain remain the worst hit countries but France and Germany have also reported sharp rises in cases. The French president announced that the European Union would be closing its external borders on Tuesday.

Source : CNBC