Schools and universities have called for clarity from the Government following news that GCSEs and A-Levels are being cancelled amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Education secretary Gavin Williamson announced yesterday all schools will close until further notice on Friday other than for the children of key workers or vulnerable pupils. It came as cases surged past 2,600, with 33 in Kent.

Follow our live blog for how today's coronavirus events unfolded:

9.40pm

KMTV report as parents and pupils call for more clarity over exam cancellations

9.30pm

Twelve Kent firms offer elderly people free meals amid the coronavirus outbreak.

8.25pm

Coronavirus cases in Kent have risen to 33 - eight of which are in Medway - according to the latest Public Health England figures.

6.40pm

The Department of Health says 3,269 patients in the UK have tested positive for the coronavirus and 144 people have died.

6.30pm

Holiday park with Kent site announces closure due to coronavirus outbreak

5.50pm

A factory in Sheppey is to begin selling hand gel direct to customers tomorrow.

5.30pm

Prime Minister Boris Johnson reveals the government is trialling drugs that could save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus.

5.05pm

Chief Medical Officer says it would be a mistake for healthy young people to think they can "breeze through" the coronavirus outbreak.

4.20pm

People are still being advised to give blood in Kent despite the cornonavirus pandemic.

4.15pm

Pride in Medway organisers announce this year's awards event, due to be held at Chatham's Bridgewood Manor Hotel, has been postponed.

3.20pm

The number of people in England who have died of COVID-19 has risen to 128.

2.45pm

The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 0.25% to 0.1%.

2.28pm

People have been working from home for three days now, some appear to have already ventured in to their children's fancy dress boxes.

Here's a Storm Trooper in Asda to prove it.

2.15pm

The Department of Health has said the daily 2pm update on new cases and deaths will happen later on.

NHS workers are pleading to be given dedicated shopping slots just like the elderly.

Meanwhile the Archbishop of Canterbury will lead the first national virtual Church of England service.

Justin Welby is to lead a broadcast as the Church of England responds to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church” in the face of the coronavirus crisis.

The service including prayers, hymns and a short sermon will be broadcast online by the Church of England and broadcast across 39 local BBC radio stations this Sunday as congregations across the country find new ways of sharing worship together after public church services were put on hold.

1.51pm

Some good coronavirus news from little Wye where 50 villagers are pulling together for the elderly.

Over in Chatham a gin distillery could start making hand sanitiser.

In national news the Coronavirus Bill has been passed which makes it easier for the public sector to handle to crisis.

1.45pm

Kent GPs on the frontline of the coronavirus battle are urging people to stop panicking - as surgeries become overwhelmed by anxious patients.

1.15pm

English football is now suspended until at least April 30.

1pm

The British Psychological Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) has published tips for schools, parents and carers dealing with the unprecedented school closures.

It says schools, parents and carers can take steps now to manage the "difficult period" ahead and look out for signs of stress in young people.

Schools should:

• Make plans to keep in contact with some children. Some children need a consistent relationship with an adult in school, and will benefit from consistency, reassurance and connection of key adults at school keeping them in mind.
• Make time to talk during this week’s timetable. Create the opportunity for children to talk about their thoughts and feelings ahead of the final day of school, which can help to normalise feelings of worry and concern.
• Schools should be mindful that providing a full timetable for parents and carers to administer at home won’t be possible, and could cause heightened stress and conflict in homes.
• Online learning is not a suitable approach for the youngest children. Schools should consider how to share expertise on play-based learning with parents and carers.
• Psychological wellbeing is paramount during this period, due to the general situation and possibility of a family member or friend being ill. This may mean that focusing on wellbeing and mental health is vital.
• Some will choose not to send their children to school for the rest of this week due to concerns and anxieties about the current situation. Schools should consider how to maintain strong relationships with these parents and carers.
• Schools should support parents and carers to address their children’s concerns and signpost them to the DECP’s advice on talking to children about coronavirus.

Parents and carers should:

• Children can sometimes believe that they are responsible for events that are beyond their control – reassure them that it is the adults’ job to keep them safe.
• Friendships are key to maintaining resilience for children, so help them to maintain these relationships through phone calls, online communication, and writing letters.
• Normalise the experience for young people by reassuring them that there are lots of other people in the same situation right now.
• Having a routine and structure helps children to feel secure in uncertain times, and involving them in creating this structure, perhaps visually, can be particularly helpful.
• Don’t put too much pressure on doing academic work. Parents and carers aren’t teachers, and it is important to also spend time building relationships, enjoying shared activities and reassuring children.
• Restrict access to rolling news coverage. While it’s important to keep up to date, constant exposure to news can be overwhelming for both adults and children.
• Young people may be concerned about the announcement that exams will not go ahead as planned. Acknowledge the uncertainty, but reassure them that a plan is being put together to make sure that everyone gets the qualification that they have worked towards.
• Play is fundamental to the wellbeing and development of children of all ages, and a great way to reduce stress in adults.

You can access the full list of tips for schools, parents and carers, alongside the DECP’s position on the government announcement, on the BPS website.

12.50pm

In other coronavirus news GPs have been sent out-of-date masks due to the shortage caused by the virus. The government says they are fine.

Remember, masks are only any use to you if you have coronavirus.

12.40pm

The NSPCC has issued a statement on how the government's school closures decision will impact the most vulnerable children.

Anna Edmundson, head of policy and public affairs at the charity, said: “The Government has clearly acknowledged the need to keep children safe from abuse and neglect during this national health emergency.

“Teachers act as the eyes and ears for the community and have a vital role in ensuring children receive the right protection. Therefore, it is encouraging that the most vulnerable young people will continue to go to school to find safety and support.

“But the process needs to be carried out with care and sensitivity to avoid children feeling as though they are being singled out. It is also important to recognise that this is not black and white as there will be children that are vulnerable to abuse but fall outside this process.

“At the NSPCC, we will be looking closely at the detail of the plans and we look forward to discussing how they will work in practice with the Government.”

Arriva will be making changes to some of their services in Kent from next week.

The changes will be made from Monday in line with recent government advice and school closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.

“In light of the government's latest advice and recommendations, as well as planned school closures, we can confirm as of Monday, March 23, we have had to reduce the frequency of some services,” an Arriva statement read.

“However we will still be operating our key routes to ensure customers can continue to access critical services, and we are continuing to tailor our service changes in line with ongoing advice from the government and public health bodies.

“Customers will be made aware of any ongoing service changes via our website and social media channels.

“Anytime restrictions on concessionary bus passes in Kent have temporarily been lifted, meaning they can be used all day until further notice.

“Full information will be shared online at www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus over the next 48 hours.”

Further details are expected soon.

The opening of a new cinema on Romney Marsh has been delayed.

Cinemarsh was due to open in the Marsh Academy's leisure centre next month.

The independent movie theatre will have 46 seats and top of the range sound and visual equipment.

But bosses have taken the decision to delay the opening due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The leisure centre remains open.

Manager Jason Mahoney said: "It is with much regret that we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the opening of Cinemarsh.

"We are responding to the government’s latest public health advice and we very much hope to launch this fantastic community resource as soon as the situation improves.

"The team here would like to extend our thanks for your understanding and patience and we hope to be in a position to welcome you all soon."

The Battle of Britain Memorial, at Capel-le-Ferne, is staying open to visitors for the time being.

But the museum, which is a tribute to those who flew in the battle, has introduced new restrictions to keep staff and the public safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

The car park will be open 9am-5pm, while The Wing, which houses the shop, cafe and Scramble Experience attraction, will be open 11am-3pm.

Captain Patrick Tootal, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust, said: "We have always said that access to the Memorial should be 24/7, particularly for the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

"That is why we have worked closely with our volunteers and staff to come up with a way of keeping the car park and The Wing open, even though we have had to reduce opening hours slightly.

“We want people to continue to enjoy the Memorial and we hope they will remember that the Trust receives no public funding. During these difficult times, when revenue has been badly affected, it is more important than ever that people continue to donate generously using the collection boxes around the site."

Visitors are asked not to enter The Wing if they are unwell and all visitors should keep two metre distance from staff.

12pm

Videolink funerals may become the norm in a nation under coronavirus quasi-lockdown. Here's one Kent funeral director which is doing them already.

11.05am

While fruit farms may need more workers providing an unexpected employment boost to Kent, there are fears they may still struggle to stock shops because of staff getting infected.

Eagle Heights has now closed.

Meanwhile this couple need help getting home because they've been quarantined in Cyprus.

10.50am

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Michel Barnier says he's "following all the necessary instructions".

10.29am

We've been at Sainsbury's extra early this morning to see how the supermarket's plan to beat the panic buyers is going.

9.48am

KCC is to close all its 99 libraries from tomorrow.

A spokesman said: "The ongoing wellbeing of our customers, our staff, and everyone’s family is of the greatest importance to us and we are following the advice from Government to help minimise the impact of COVID-19.

"As such, under these exceptional circumstances, we are implementing the following temporary changes:

"All 99 libraries will close to the public, including the mobile library service, from normal closing time on Friday until further notice. We will keep this under review and will be guided by national developments.

"We will ensure all loan periods are extended for all customers until the end of June. If you need further extensions after June, please let us know via email (libraries@kent.gov.uk), social media or call us on 03000 41 31 31. Some of these changes may take time to implement so please bear with us while we work through them.

"If you have reservations, or reservations on order, they will be kept safe until we re-open. Once we re-open, they will be available for 10 days before going back into circulation. If you cannot collect the reservation during that time due to self-isolation, we will refund you the reservation fee or reorder it at no additional charge.

"Remember that our digital collections are always available. These include reference resources as well as free e-books, e-audio books, a vast range of the latest e-magazines and daily e-newspapers. These can be accessed at kent.gov.uk/libs

"The Ask a Kent Librarian Service will remain available on 03000 41 64 38, email akl@kent.gov.uk or via 24/7 chat at www.kent.gov.uk/askakentlibrarian

"We will maintain the Home Library Service to the most vulnerable as far as possible

"We wish all of our customers well at this difficult time. We will keep in touch as much as we can and will resume normal services as soon as possible."

9.25am

The Education Secretary's admitted schools could be closed for a "considerable amount of time" because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Driving tests are being suspended.

8.25am

As has become the norm shoppers queued outside supermarkets across Kent this morning.

Here's Sainsbury's at Ashford at 5.50am!

It's worth remembering shop bosses have started rationing and, as this trade union put it, "there is enough for everyone".

8.10am

The Queen is leaving London for Windsor Castle today to practise social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.

She's expected to remain there until after Easter.

Her weekly audience with the Prime Minister will take place over the phone for the foreseeable future.

7.25am

In London 40 tube stations are closed from today and we're being urged not to us public transport unless absolutely necessary. The capital may still be put on lockdown as cases there have surged past 600.

The health secretary is putting an emergency bill before parliament later which could close airports and give police more powers to stop people spreading the virus.

Meanwhile Boris Johnson has assured young people they will not be penalised for missing out on exams and will instead be assessed in other ways.

The University of Kent, which has campuses in Medway and Canterbury, said: We will take any necessary actions based on advice from the examination boards to ensure our applicants are not disadvantaged. We may take unilateral action to update our offers where we think it is appropriate to do so."

6.15am

The Ministry of Defence is to create a 20,000-strong Covid support force, the defence secretary has announced. This will double the size of its existing civil contingency unit and comes after fears about the strain the crisis will put on the police and NHS.

KMTV speaks to pensioners who are pleading with greedy shoppers to stop stockpiling

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