Despite widespread calls for school closures, the government stood firm in its plans last night to keep them open.

Speaking at a news conference, the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said schools may be closed when the time is right.

He said: “Measures may be necessary including to think about school closures, but things need to be done at the right time, in the right way and at the right stage of the outbreak.”

Related: Schools ‘to close to all but children of key workers’

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Meanwhile, a petition by parents calling for school closures has today attracted more than 639,000 signatures, while many are already keeping pupils off school.

WATCH: CHIEF SCIENTIFIC ADVISER ON SCHOOL CLOSURES