All schools in Milton Keynes to close

Education secretary Gavin Williamson made his announcement this afternoon after the UK death toll from coronavirus reached 104.

It came shortly after Scotland and Wales said schools would close.

A further 32 people have died in England and confirmed cases rose today to 2,626.

But thousands more people could be infected but untested, and the government now plans to double the number of tests to 25,000 a day in England.

Schools in MK had been struggling to cope because of the number of staff off due to self-isolation or illness. They are now busy planning lessons students can study at home.

MK Council leader Pete Marland told the Citizen: "We do not live in a bubble. We can see the news coming out of Italy. We have a little time tor educe the spread of the virus but not much.

"Closing schools from Friday is a stage that was inevitable and entirely proportional to events.

"We must do all we can to limit the spread and follow advice, as difficult or as drastic as that may be as measures escalate."

Pete said the council's plans for maintaining critical services will continue to enable essential services to be provided to those in most need.