NI exam body draws up plans to manage GCSE and A Level exams - over coronavirus fears

But, according to the BBC, the CCEA said schools should prepare for the 2020 summer exams as normal.

The number of cases in the UK rose by four to 39 on Monday.

A few GCSE and A-Level exams begin on May 4 with the main timetable beginning on May 11.

Exam bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are updating existing contingency plans to deal with disruption.

Those plans include what arrangements to make if schools are closed for an extended period or if pupils are ill and cannot sit an exam as planned.

Measures for many incidents like that are already in place.

Any announcement on widespread national disruption - like the closure of schools - would be the responsibility of relevant government departments.

However, CCEA and other exams regulators would provide advice on any resulting disruption to exams and assessments.

According to the BBC a spokesperson for CCEA said it was working with its counterparts across the UK on contingency plans.

“CCEA is working closely with the regulators and government departments to consider how to manage any particular risks to the smooth running of examinations and assessments should there be a widespread outbreak of coronavirus,” they said.

“We will update existing guidance to reflect any specific arrangements schools and colleges should put in place, if required.

“In the meantime, students, schools and colleges should continue to prepare for the summer examinations and assessments as usual.”