Sydney's Catholic Archbishop has told Catholic schools the Federal Government is urging them to stay open, despite concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Key points: Catholic schools remain open despite some independent schools closing

Catholic schools remain open despite some independent schools closing Archbishop Anthony Fisher has urged bishops to "not break ranks" with government advice

Archbishop Anthony Fisher has urged bishops to "not break ranks" with government advice Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan says health officials say schools can remain open

Archbishop Anthony Fisher, in a letter sent to NSW and ACT bishops on Wednesday, said Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan and Prime Minister Scott Morrison made it clear they were disappointed some independent schools had closed their doors.

"The Government asks us to work together, collectively to seek the best medical advice, to help preserve calm, and to help it in its best efforts to address this public health emergency," he wrote.

Mr Tehan denied the Federal Government told the Catholic sector to keep its doors open because it received Commonwealth funding.

"No, I didn't put it in those terms. I'd like to thank the archbishops for the cooperative way that they're working with the Federal Government," he said.

"We are asking all schools to play their part during this difficult time."

On Wednesday Australia's chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said health officials had advised state and federal governments to keep schools open.

But some independent Sydney schools broke ranks with the State Government and shut down buildings, shifting lessons online.

"We would hope that any school considering acting alone on this, reconsider," Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in response.

Scott Morrison says health officials have urged governments to keep schools open. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )

Archbishop Fisher's letter said he expected to speak with Mr Morrison later on Wednesday. Mr Morrison's office has refused to confirm if that call happened.

"It is the view of bishops presently here in Sydney for a meeting of the permanent committee that we should not break ranks with our Commonwealth and state governments and their chief medical officers on this, and should not be talking up or negotiating school closures until it is clear that that is to be the Government's directive," Archbishop Fisher wrote.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced all schools, preschools and universities will close indefinitely from tomorrow.

Mr Tehan said senior health officials believed schools were still safe in Australia, in contrast to the situation in the United Kingdom, Europe and parts of the United States.

"They didn't take the early action that we took," he said.

"They're getting very different medical advice to what we're getting."