Schools will remain open despite coronavirus fears.

Staff and students have been warned to be cautious.

A number of secondary and primary schools have taken action in their own ways.

Students or staff members who have a new continuous cough or a high temperature are being told that they should self-isolate for seven days as a precautionary measure.

Ashley Hill Primary School in Onchan cancelled its parents’ evening, which was due to be held on March 24, as well as a Friends of Ashley Hill School event and a bingo night.

’It’s a common sense measure and a decision I had to make as headteacher,’ said Peter Lewis. He added that the school needs a ’healthy working staff’ and is looking at the children’s needs.

’That’s why we’re not having anything additional that is not required,’ he said.

Ballakermeen High School headteacher Adrienne Burnett says that it will be ’business as usual’, but certain measures are being made.

The Douglas school is no longer holding assemblies to avoid large groups of students being in close proximity.

School cleaners are said to be continuing to work hard with extra concentration on areas where there is higher footfall.

Students who are not attending school because of self-isolation have been told to use their student log-ins to access online resources.

’In the short-term, our priority must be the students who are taking examinations,’ she said.

Queen Elizabeth II High School said that, like with all island schools, all students are to attend as normal unless they meet the criteria for self-isolation.

Headteacher Sue Moore said: ’If you choose to keep your child off school, even though they do not meet the government’s criteria for self- isolation, we will have to class this as an unauthorised absence.

’If there is an underlying condition which makes the child or other family member more vulnerable, and you have decided to keep your child at home, please let us know. This could be classed as exceptional and be authorised.’