© PA Dr Jenny Harries, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, speaking at a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that exams - including GCSE and A Levels - 'will not take place as planned in May and June' amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement was made by Mr Johnson as he addressed the UK this afternoon in his third daily press conference.

It came after the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said in Parliament today that classrooms in England would be closing from Friday until further notice.

This will be for all pupils except those that are vulnerable or children of key workers including NHS staff, police and delivery drivers who need to be able to go to work.

Mr Williamson confirmed that GCSE's and A-Levels would not go ahead as planned.

© PA Education Secretary Gavin Williamson speaking in the House of Commons

He said: “I can confirm that we will not go ahead with assessments or exams and that we will not be publishing performance tables for this academic year.

“We will work with the sector and Ofqual to ensure that children get the qualifications that they need.

“My department is working closely with local authorities, representatives of early years schools and headteachers, regional schools, commissioners and bodies such as Ofsted and Ofqual about how to deliver this change as effectively as possible.

“And we will do whatever is necessary to support local authorities, schools and teachers through the weeks and months ahead.”

The Department for Health said that as of 9am on Wednesday (March 18), 2,626 people had tested positive for the virus in the UK, though the true number of cases is believed to be far higher.

More than 56,221 people have now been tested for COVID-19 across the country.

The government says it is currently prioritising testing for people who are most at risk, including those who are in hospital care for pneumonia or acute respiratory illness.

People who suffer mild symptoms of coronavirus, or live with someone who does, are being told to stay at home and self-isolate and will not be tested.

If you live on your own, you should self-isolate for seven days, but if you live with others, you should all self-isolate for 14 days.