SCHOOLS across England will close on Friday until further notice to slow the spread of Coronavirus.
Exams will not take place as planned in May and June.
Lessons will, however, continue for the most vulnerable children, and for the children of ‘key workers’ such as those who work in health and social care, police officers and delivery drivers.
This is to allow those workers to stay at work and keep public services functioning.
Boris Johnson said the government was working with nurseries and private schools to help this happen, and would make food vouchers available.
Education minister Gavin Willamson told the House of Commons the benefits of schools remaining open were changing swiftly.
He said schools were finding it difficult to continue as normal as staff levels drop.
He added that the spike of the virus was increasing more quickly than anticipated, and taking these measures “will save people’s lives”.
The government’s chief scientific officer Professor Patrick Vallance said schools did not need to be shut from the start as they are “not dangerous places” for pupils or teachers, “but this extra bit is now important to protect NHS capacity” and stop the spread.
He added there was no specific risk to children.
