A PRIVATE school in Oxford is closed today after a singer in its choir returned from coronavirus-hit countries.

New College School, a prep and pre-prep school for boys, has been shut since yesterday evening but is due to reopen tomorrow following 'expert consultation'.

Some of the school's pupils are part of the Choir of New College Oxford, which is made up of boys and men in partnership with New College (the Oxford university college).

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One of the choir members has self-isolated after returning from 'two Category 2 countries', the college confirmed.

It did not specify if the choir member was a boy chorister from the school or a choral scholar from the college itself. 

Public Health England has categorised locations where coronavirus has spread, into Category 1 (the most serious) and Category 2.

The latter includes Thailand, Vietnam and parts of northern Italy outside of the quarantined towns, as well as several other countries.

People are advised to self-isolate if they have returned from the countries since February 19, but only if they develop potential symptoms.

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This differs from the advice for Category 1 areas, when people should self-isolate even if they do not have any symptoms.

Miles Young, warden of New College, said: "New College School was closed yesterday evening as part of a risk assessment relating to a singer in the College choir, who has self-isolated following a return from two Category 2 countries.

"Extensive expert consultation leads us currently to assess the risk as low and parents have been informed the school will open as usual tomorrow."