Coronavirus: All UK schools to close from Friday until further notice

All UK schools will close from Friday until further notice, apart from for students with key worker parents or vulnerable children, who will be able to stay.

Gavin Williamson, secretary of state for education, made the announcement in the House of Commons just after 5pm this afternoon.

He said key workers included NHS staff, the police and delivery drivers.

And he said children who are vulnerable will include those with education, health and care plans.

He said the Government is expecting nurseries and private schools to close as well.

It comes after increasing strain on schools across the UK, struggling to keep up with the effects of Covid-19.