A SECOND school in Herefordshire has told its international students not to return home to the Far East over the school holidays as the coronavirus outbreak spreads.

Students at the fee-paying Lucton School, near Leominster, has told students they should not fly home, or have relatives visit from China and other countries which have been badly-affected by the virus.

The decision is similar to that taken by Hereford Cathedral School, which has also told Chinese pupils to remain in the UK.

RELATED NEWS: Hereford school's Chinese children barred from going home

School bursar Paul Thorne that said that while the school can't legally stop its Chinese pupils from returning home during February half term or the Easter holiday, they have been told they shouldn't.

"We've got around 25 to 30 students from China and Hong Kong and at the moment they're all staying in the UK over half term and over Easter we're keeping the boarding house open," he said.

When asked if it was the students' choice or if the school had tried to bar them from travelling, he said: "We've told them. We've also told them they're not to have visitors.

"If they did, they would have to self-quarantine so we've basically said they're not to have visitors because self-isolation isn't practical."

While experts say there are early signs that the number of new coronavirus cases emerging in China may have started to slow, Mr Thorne said he can't see the situation improving before Easter.

RELATED NEWS: Coronavirus death toll in China rises to 636

The school's boarding house will remain open over the school holiday and a full programme of activities and revision sessions will be put on for the students who remain on campus.

Bulletins are being sent out to parents regularly to keep them informed of the situation.

Three patients currently being treated in the UK.

A British national on board a cruise ship off the coast of Japan has also tested positive for coronavirus, Princess Cruises said.

It's said he was on his honeymoon and has been separated from his new wife as he's taken off the ship for treatment, a fellow passenger said.

The company added that 41 people on board had tested positive.

READ MORE: British man on honeymoon cruise among dozens testing positive for coronavirus