Pupils and staff from three schools in Northern Ireland have been sent home as a precaution against coronavirus after returning from an Italian ski holiday.
Banbridge Academy told 88 pupils and 9 staff not to come into school today after they returned yesterday from an Italian ski trip.
Around 50 pupils and staff from Cambridge House Grammar School in Ballymena were also sent home as a precaution.
Limavady Grammar School has also advised all pupils and staff who travelled on a recent trip to Italy to self-isolate themselves for 14 days as a precautionary measure.
Health Minister Robin Swann said: "We are in a fast-moving situation."
He said updated guidelines were being issued to doctors.
"It is unlikely at this stage that any school would have to close if they follow the latest guidelines."
The groups were in the Lombardy region in the north of Italy but did not visit nine towns affected by the infection and are showing no symptoms.
This is the message that parents at Banbridge Academy received this morning following a school ski trip to Italy. The PHA say a number of schools have been issued with the advice on coronavirus after trips abroad. Join us on air this afternoon to hear the latest from the PHA. pic.twitter.com/nFNxO4eMtu
— Sasha Wylie (@SashaWylie) February 25, 2020
They travelled through Milan airport, Cambridge House Grammar School principal Elma Lutton said.
She added: "Taking cognisance of advice from the Public Health Agency and following advice from the education authority, the pupils and staff on that ski trip have been sent home for 14 days self-quarantine.
North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said, "I understand that some pupils are just back from a half term ski holiday to Italy and those pupils have now been sent home from school to self-isolate as a precaution of Coronavirus.
"It is clear this is a precaution in line with best practice and no pupil is reported to have this. Obviously my thoughts are with these children and families and teachers at what can be quite distressing time but it is important that full advice is taken at this time."
"This is precautionary - none of them were in those nine towns, none are showing any symptoms.
"They were in the Lombardy region but went through Milan airport."
There are strict quarantine restrictions in two northern hotspots close to Milan and Venice.
Thousands of people cannot enter or leave several towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions for the next two weeks without special permission.
Outside the zone, sporting events have been cancelled and many schools and businesses have suspended normal operations.
Cambridge House Grammar is one of the leading schools in Ballymena, with more than 900 pupils.
One of the parents whose child was not affected, Marty Adams, said: "As a parent, and I am sure every parent would echo the same, this is a matter of concern.
"I am glad to see that precautions are in place and hopefully no-one will be affected by it, but people were able to return to the school and spend some time in the school."
After a long days journey and an early ski fit 88 pupils and staff ready to hit the slopes. pic.twitter.com/sHHzsUHetL
— Banbridge Academy (@BanAcademyNews) February 16, 2020
The new strain of coronavirus originated last year in Hubei province in China.
It causes a respiratory disease called Covid-19 and produces flu-like symptoms.
China has seen thousands of infections and deaths.
A spokesman for the north's Public Health Agency (PHA) said it was being guided on travel advice by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which this morning updated official advice to say that those who have been to northern Italy - north of Pisa - should self-isolate if they have flu-like symptoms.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms."
However, there were no changes to travel advice about going to Italy from the UK - despite the Irish government advising to avoid 'hotspot' areas.
He added: "In terms of going to Italy as a whole we haven't changed that travel advice.
"But we are clear that, if you come back from northern Italy and you have symptoms, then you should self-isolate."
The updated advice said people returning from Iran, lockdown areas of northern Italy, special care zones in South Korea, and Hubei province in China since February 19 should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if they do not have symptoms.
People returning from north of Pisa and Florence in Italy, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma (Myanmar) from the same date who develop symptoms should stay at home, avoid contact with other people and also call NHS 111.
In Scotland people could be banned from gathering in large numbers to contain cornonavirus, Scotland's Chief Medical Officer has said.
The new travel advice comes as World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus warned that, while the spread of the virus around the world is not yet at pandemic stage, it has the potential to become one.
In Italy, where 229 people have tested positive for the virus and seven have died, police have manned checkpoints around a dozen quarantined northern towns.
Schools were closed, theatre performances cancelled, and Venice Carnival celebrations were called off, while producers said filming on the latest Mission: Impossible movie starring Tom Cruise has been halted.
An Ulster rugby match scheduled to take place this weekend in Italy has been postponed.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in the Republic has issued formal guidance on its website against travelling to the worst-hit Italian regions - Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Lazio.
