Teachers have been told to prepare ‘home-learning packs’ for students during an expected MONTH-LONG coronavirus-enforced Easter break.

Schools across the country were put on alert on Wednesday night that they might need to shut their doors for a fortnight, the Mirror reports.

It comes as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is chairing an emergency Cobra committee on Thursday lunchtime to discuss moving into the next phase of its coronavirus plan - delay.

This is likely to include banning large gatherings, encouraging people to work from home and potentially closing schools and universities, in a bid to prevent coronavirus spreading further.

So far, there have been eight deaths in the UK and more than 456 cases confirmed.

The nationwide coronavirus closures could come into effect on March 20 - weeks before the traditional Easter break.

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It would mean youngsters spending a month out of the classroom and create a childcare headache for working parents.

Another alternative being considered is shortening the Easter break by a week and scrapping the May half-term.

But this would create havoc with families who have already booked trips away during the traditional holidays.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Teachers have been told the ‘home-learning packs’ must be ready to send out by Friday.

But sources said any enforced closure would almost certainly not take place until the end of next week.

Another plan being considered is shortening the Easter break by a week and scrapping the May half-term.

One teacher said: “We have had guidance from our head of the academy who has been told to expect at least a week-long closure, possibly two.

“If schools are closed from mid-March, it wouldn’t make sense to open them up again so close to Easter. We’re preparing for a month at home.

“The home-learning packs have to be all ready by this Friday, with the aim of sending them home with the kids the following Friday.”

More than 240,000 people have signed a petition calling on the government to shut down schools across the UK.

The petition, started by Sami Attout, urges Boris Johnson to announce the closures to prevent the spread of coronavirus.