All schools in Scotland, Wales are set to close on Friday and immediately in Northern Ireland in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

There is speculation that similar measures could be announced in England over COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Commons during Prime Minister's Questions that further decisions on school closures were "to be taken imminently".

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Pupils in Northern Ireland will not go into school from Thursday, while staff will not work from Friday afternoon after preparing for online learning, Sky News understands.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned that people should not assume that they will open again until the end of the summer term.


She said the move was necessary because schools have now lost too many staff to continue as normal.

Ms Sturgeon said she wanted to reassure teachers and school staff that the government would work with them as they know what is best for children.

The Scottish government is still working out the finer details of what the closures will mean, she added.

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Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams said schools in the country would be re-purposed to help people "involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak".

She said: "I can announce we are bringing forward the Easter break for schools in Wales. Schools across Wales will close for statutory provision of education at the latest on 20 March 2020.

"I have been clear up to now that the continuity of education and the wellbeing of our learners has been at the heart of my decision making. This will always be the case.

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"From next week, schools will have a new purpose.

"They will help support those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak."

Northern Ireland's education minister said on Wednesday that he could not give a date for when schools will be closed.

Peter Weir said that when schools close over COVID-19, it will not be short term measure, but potentially until the end of August.

The Department of Education has denied several schools permission for exceptional closures.

The PM will address the schools situation in his daily coronavirus press conference later.

At the same time, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will update MPs in the Commons.

The government has so far resisted calls to close schools, because NHS workers are among those who may need to stay home and look after their children.

Some schools could stay open for the pupils of key workers, which would include staff in the health service.