Loading "These are uncharted waters and our approach aims to provide our community with stability and surety in these uncertain times," Mr Martin said. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has rejected mass school closures, saying they "are not likely to be proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission". On Monday he released a statement repeating his opposition to shutting schools down. "For pre-emptive school closures to be effective, prolonged closure is required and it would be unclear when they could be re-opened," Dr Sutton wrote.

"If there were still a large pool of susceptible students when schools are re-opened, there would be likely to be re-emergence of transmission in the community." He said there is limited information on the contribution of children to the virus’ transmission, while there is a risk associated with some children requiring care from vulnerable grandparents, or continuing to associate with others while outside of school. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video "School closures may still be considered late in the outbreak in anticipation of a peak in infection rates, for a shorter period of time," he wrote. "Short–term reactive school closures may also be warranted to allow cleaning and contact tracing to occur." No government schools have closed so far, in line with the official advice.

The principal and another staff member at Hampton Primary School, a state school, will go into self-isolation for 14 days after meeting with a parent who has the coronavirus. But the school will remain open, despite the positive test in its community. "I am confident that with attention to detail and good will that our community will stay well," principal Sue Knight said in a message to parents and staff on Monday. A student at the Orthodox Jewish school Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah returned a positive coronavirus test on Monday, the second case at the school. The school has been closed since Wednesday after a teacher was found to have the virus, after flying in to Melbourne from Los Angeles. Principal Dr Shimon Waronker said three students with flu-like symptoms were tested last week and one has now returned a positive.

Loading St Kevin's College in Toorak will also close on Tuesday after a parent tested positive but will potentially reopen on Wednesday. Lauriston has made the call to close its doors at its junior and senior campuses until the end of term one, despite having no confirmed cases. Ivanhoe Grammar School will also close on Friday and run classes online for a week before the school holidays begin. The school has no known cases of coronavirus, but made the decision as a precaution.

Education Minister James Merlino said on Monday that preparations to make sure students can learn from home are under way. "Any decision to close a school will be made on the advice of experts; this will be communicated immediately to all parents, students and staff at the affected school or schools," Mr Merlino said. "In the meantime we are well under way preparing to ensure students can learn from home." Some government schools with more than 500 students will introduce staggered lunch breaks and stop holding big student gatherings including assemblies and sports events in response to the virus. The government has written to state schools confirming teachers and staff will continue to be paid in case of a shutdown. However, all school camps and excursions have been suspended until further notice.

A number of fee-paying schools closed last week, either because a parent or teacher has tested positive to coronavirus, or as a precaution, meaning thousands of students are now being taught from home. Geelong Grammar, Westbourne Grammar, Loreto Mandeville Hall, Carey Baptist Grammar and Yeshivah - Beth Rivkah Colleges have previously announced a temporary closure. Monash and La Trobe universities have both postponed tutorials for a week, starting Tuesday, to make the transition online. The University of Melbourne will deliver lectures of more than 500 people online, as well as classes with more than 25 students from March 30. Small tutorials will continue as normal. The university has extended its mid semester break to run from April 6 to April 19. with Rachel Eddie

Updated health advice for Australians The symptoms of coronavirus include: Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath; and

Breathing difficulties If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.