Classmates of royals warned to stay away

Pupils at the private prep school attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte have been quarantined after returning from a holiday in northern Italy.

Thomas’s Battersea, in south London, is one of numerous schools that have told children to stay away.

The families of four pupils at the school attended by George, 6, and Charlotte, 4, are understood to have been told to self-isolate after half-term holidays in Italy. The measure is said to be precautionary.

None of the affected children have tested positive for the virus but test results are being awaited.

A spokeswoman said the school was ‘‘following government guidance to the letter around both prevention against infection and in dealing with cases where any staff or pupils are suspected of being exposed to the virus or who display any symptoms’’.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday urged schools not to ‘‘over-react’’.

Health chiefs are understood to be frustrated that schools are ignoring official advice. Twelve have shut their doors after staff or pupils had visited Italy, while many others are sending children home.

Schools were advised again yesterday that there was no need to close if they did not have a confirmed case of the virus.

Hancock told the House of Commons: ‘‘There is no need to close the school or send other students or staff home. In most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary, but this will be a local decision based on various factors. Our wider goal is to have minimum social and economic disruption or disruption to the NHS, subject to keeping the public safe.’’

Birmingham University has advised students spending the year in South Korea to return home. Some South Korean universities have been closed, including those attended by Britons completing a year abroad as part of their degree.