The biggest teaching union is advising its members not to go into school if they have underlying health conditions that could put them more at risk from coronavirus.

The NEU teaching union, in a letter to the prime minister today, called for schools to be closed immediately and criticised the government over its lack of information on the possible effects of the virus on vulnerable teachers, staff and parents.

Coronavirus: ‘Close schools now,’ demands NEU

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Read: ‘Up to 1 in 5’ teachers self isolating

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The union says people most at risk include those who are suffering from:

•    chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis;

• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure; 
• chronic kidney disease;
• chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis; 
• chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy;
• diabetes;
• problems with their spleen - for example, sickle cell disease or if they have had their spleen removed;
• a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy; 
• being seriously overweight (a BMI of 40 or above);
• being pregnant.

Last night, prime minister Boris Johnson said people with underlying health conditions should self-isolate for 12 weeks from this weekend. 

In their letter to him, NEU joint-general secretaries Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney said: “We assume that on this basis teachers and other school and college staff who have these conditions or who are caring for people with those conditions, or who are over 70, should self-isolate. 

 “We intend to advise all our members in these [at risk] categories or caring for people in them to stop attending schools and colleges from next Monday at the latest. Some will do so earlier. 

“We also assume that the children of parents with those conditions should also avoid school or college. This will make the running of schools all the more complicated.”

The Department for Education has been contacted for comment.