Coronavirus: NI school closure hoax alerts clarified by Education Authority | EA say official notification will be sent by Department of Education | Republic of Ireland to close schools/colleges from Thursday at 6pm

A hoax alert was sent to local parents saying schools are closing from March 16 for two weeks.

However, this morning a post from the Education Authority said: “We are aware of inaccurate information circulating about school closures.

“Any official notification in relation to school closures will be sent directly to school from the Department of Education.

“Schools remain open.

“Please continue to monitor our website for latest updates”.

The news comes as it is announced that schools, colleges and other public facilities in the Republic of Ireland are to close in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the measures would take effect from 6pm on Thursday to 29 March.

The first death linked to coronavirus has been recorded in the Republic of Ireland.

The elderly woman died in a Dublin hospital on Wednesday.

Mr Varadkar said schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from Friday.

He said indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.

He added that where it is possible to work remotely people should do so.

Mr Varadkar said the public and businesses needed to take a sensible approach, adding that the Irish cabinet would meet later and that Northern Ireland and GB would be briefed.