BLANKET school closures are under consideration by both the UK and Scottish governments as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise.

The measure, which has been adopted in most European countries, including Ireland, France Spain, Italy and Denmark, could be announced as a way of limiting the spread of the outbreak. According to Unesco monitoring, 56 countries have closed schools nationwide.

Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson have so far backed away from blanket school closures with the former maintaining children’s handwashing – which helps limit the spread of the virus –may be more effective when they are in school.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson urges public to stop all 'non-essential contact'

The First Minister has also expressed concern about the impact the policy would have on delivering frontline health services if parents who work in the NHS have to stay at home to look after their children and has also raised the concern that if schools were closed it would be for a lengthy period.

Experts have previously said children are not among the groups vulnerable to falling severely ill from the virus. Pressed on the issue of school closures at briefing yesterday, the First Minister said: “We are not saying that we’re ruling out a more blanket approach to this at a later stage if that is advised as being something that would be effective.”

READ MORE: Coronavirus RECAP: Nicola Sturgeon warns of 'rapid acceleration' of disease

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, said if all schools were to shut it would need to be for a minimum of three months to “really suppress the spread of the virus in these types of institutions.”

Speaking at the briefing in Edinburgh she said: “The thought that children would not mix together for three months is impossible and we therefore risk having children congregating in other areas together, the virus spreads again so we actually have measures put in which are ineffective in keeping the virus from people.”

She added: “Talking about closing schools for two weeks, it’s very, very clear from the science that that is not a scientific way to either prevent the spread of this virus or indeed to protect vulnerable people. It’s the length of time that is absolutely key.”

Speaking at a press conference late yesterday afternoon following a Cobra meeting with the leaders of the devolved nations Prime Minister Boris Johnson did also not rule out blanket school closures as he dramatically ramped up measures to stop the virus spreading, including recommending people work from home if possible and limit non-essential travel.

He said: “We are keeping all measures under review ... we think at the moment on balance it is much better if we can keep schools open”

READ MORE: Scottish Parliament suspends public visits over coronavirus

Meanwhile, deep cleans were carried out on some school buildings as 171 positive tests were reported by 2pm yesterday in Scotland.

A decision was made over the weekend to close Dunblane High School to all pupils and staff after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19. It will re-open to all pupils and staff today.

Two primary schools in the Highlands, Knockbreck Primary School and Craighill Primary School, Tain were closed yesterday “until further notice” after a pupil and staff member took ill.

Perth and Kinross Council said “an individual” from Perth High School was self-isolating for symptoms but had not yet been tested. In Aberdeen, Glashieburn Primary School and Hazlehead Academy were closed for precautionary cleaning but are due to reopen today.

Elsewhere, Willowbank School in East Ayrshire was closed but is expected to reopen tomorrow. Shetland Islands Council previously said some of its schools would be closed all of this week.

Glasgow School of Art announced it will halt lectures and tutorials from 6pm last night at its Glasgow and Highlands and Islands campuses.