Teachers preparing ‘home learning packs’ for coronavirus school closures lasting up to a month from next week

: "We have been told an extended Easter break is a very real possibility if the virus spread continues at the predicted rate.

“We are now preparing for that eventuality. But this will not mean two weeks’ extra holiday.

“Schools in our local authority area - both primary and secondary – are drawing up plans for children to be given lessons at home.

“This will come in the shape of material drawn up by staff in advance in the form of set work from the curriculum on paper and also online work.

“Schools are drawing up lists of all children who have access to the internet at home even if it is via a parent or guardian’s phone."

Teachers at two separate London schools told the Sun Online they were getting ready for pupils to learn at home.

Primary school teachers in Staffordshire and the South West have already prepped enough work for their students to do at home if schools close.

And another said: "We have had guidance from our head of the academy who has been told to expect at least a week-long closure, possibly two."

Some schools have already shut for short periods where children or staff have been exposed to the virus.

As the number of people who have been infected with coronavirus in the UK rises to 590, with global cases above 100,000, concerns about schools shutting continue to grow.

Experts in the UK say the country could go into lock down in a matter of weeks - with it thought we could move into the delay phase today.

The PM is set to put Brits on notice that they could face sweeping restrictions on their lives.

It means the public could be told to start working from home and to scale back their socialising as the country tries to get a grip on the outbreak.

Care homes could place extra restrictions on visitors to protect the elderly, who are most likely to die from the killer bug.

While any Brit with a cold, cough, sniffle or fever could be told to stay at home for a week to help halt the spread of the infection.

FIGHTING THE BUG

Mr Johnson is expected to declare the major shift as he chairs an emergency COBRA meeting at lunchtime.

It comes as Donald Trump suspended ALL flights to the US from Europe except UK and Ireland for the next 30 days due to the killer bug.

Parents are entitled to take time off work to look after children - and you won't face disciplinary action or lose your job.

This is known as "dependant leave" which allows mums and dads to take time off work to deal with an unexpected problem or emergency.

A Department for Education spokesperson said they have not yet issued advice to prepare for closures, adding: "As the Chief Medical Officer has said, the impact of closing schools on both children’s education and on the workforce will be substantial, but the benefit to public health may not be.

“Decisions on future advice to schools will be taken based on the latest and best scientific evidence, which at this stage suggests children are a lower risk group.

“The advice from Public Health England continues to be for schools to remain open, unless advised otherwise.”

You can check for school closures in England and Wales using the , which redirects you to the council website the school falls under.