UK to shut schools from Friday as deaths rise to 104

Schools in the UK are to shut from Friday until further notice as a response to the coronavirus pandemic, the prime minister has said.

Earlier today the same measures were announced in Scotland and Wales as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the UK.

GCSEs and A-level exams are unlikely to go ahead as it was announced all schools in Wales and Scotland were to close on Friday.

Confirmed cases in the UK rose to 2,626 on Wednesday, from 1,950 on Tuesday. There have been 56,221 tests carried out in the UK for Covid-19, of which 53,595 were confirmed negative.

Boris Johnson said: “We think now that we must apply further downward pressure with that upward curve by closing the schools.

“After schools shut their gates to most pupils and they will remain closed to the majority of pupils.”

He thanked teachers and head teachers and said that by looking after children of key workers, such as NHS staff, they “will be a critical part of the fight back” against coronavirus.