Children have been told they must not play outside with friends amid school closures.

Parents must not allow play dates or sleepovers during the coronavirus pandemic, the Welsh education minister Kirsty Williams has urged.

She told children and young people that they were not powerless and should remain at home to maintain social distancing while schools are closed.

It came as councils across the UK began closing parks and play areas to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking on the first day that schools across the country shut their doors to most students, Ms Williams told children: “I know you want to be outside and hanging around and playing outside with your friends.

“You cannot do that in these circumstances and my appeal to all children and young people is to keep yourself safe by staying at home, playing in your garden and not mixing with your friends at this time.

"I know that is hard to do but we need you to do it to keep other people in your family and in your community well.”

Speaking at a press conference in Cardiff on Monday, Ms Williams said: “You as children are not powerless in this situation, you as children have the power to help us slow the spread of this disease and you can do that by staying at home and finding different ways of communicating with your friends."

She added that this meant no socialising with friends, no sleepovers and no play dates.

The UK government’s guidance on social distancing advises people of all ages, including children, against having friends around to the house and it advises against social mixing in the community.

Everyone is advised to stay at least 2 metres away from each other when outdoors.

But photos and videos emerged over the weekend of overcrowded parks and play areas.

On Monday health secretary Matt Hancock said people who were not following advice to stay at home and avoid social contact were being “selfish”.