Matt Hancock tries to stop coronavirus panic as ten schools close – the times, thetimes.co.uk

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, today urged schools not to “overeact” to the coronavirus as he tried to quell panic closures.

Health chiefs are understood to be frustrated that schools are ignoring official advice – ten have shut their doors following half-term trips by staff or pupils to Italy, and many others are sending students home.

Advice sent to schools yesterday reiterated that there is no need to close if they do not have a confirmed case of coronavirus. Officials said they would send out the same message every day until it got through.

Updating MPs, Mr Hancock told the Commons: “If anyone has been in contact with a suspected case in a childcare or an educational setting, no special measures are required while test