A school has closed for the week amid fears that students and staff returning from a ski trip in Italy could have contracted coronavirus.

Some pupils at Cransley High in Northwich, Cheshire, are said to be showing flu-like symptoms after returning from the trip in Bormio, Lombardy last week.

Towns in the province are currently on lockdown after hundreds of people in Italy were infected with the virus.

In a statement on Facebook, head teacher Richard Pollock said he had received a call from the NHS on Monday night advising all students and staff on the trip to self isolate.

"This means non-attendance tomorrow and for the remainder of the week," Mr Pollock said.

"All pupils who are unwell should inform NHS 111 and insist on being tested for the Coronavirus."

(Image: Getty Images)

Mr Pollock said he would be self-isolating himself at a dedicated "pod" at Warrington General Hospital on Tuesday.

He advised any students who had visited Italy not to use public transport or taxis.

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The head teacher said regardless of advice that the school should remain open, he had taken the decision to close to "minimise possible spread of infection."

"During this time, the school will be able to conduct a deep clean, and monitor the results of tests amongst those pupils who are currently showing flu-like symptoms," he said.

"I understand that there will be a variety of reactions to this decision amongst parents, and hope that all families will understand the developing situation and the changing and inconsistent advice given to the School.

"The staff, pupils and families of Cransley are our highest concern."

Towns in the Lombardy and Veneto region of Italy are in lockdown as a result of the outbreak.

Around 50,000 residents are unable to leave their homes without special permission as authorities attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus.

On Tuesday morning,Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said anyone returning from any areas of Italy quarantined by the government should self-isolate, regardless of showing symptoms.

He added that travellers returning from parts of northern Italy not on lockdown should self-isolate if they show flu-like symptoms.

Mr Hancock said: "Yes, the official advice which will be formally updated at eight o’clock this morning is going to change so that those who have been to northern Italy – north of Pisa – if they have flu-like symptoms should self-isolate.

"If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms."

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has updated the list of countries where travellers returning to the UK will need to follow clinical advice in connection with the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said people returning from Iran, lockdown areas of northern Italy, special care zones in South Korea, and Hubei province in China since February 19 should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if they do not have symptoms.