St Columba Anglican School, Port Macquarie principal Terry Muldoon said the school has been developing preventative measures for around three weeks.

"We have an executive response team put together to look at about 20 different aspects of how this can affect the school and students, " he said.

"This morning we announced a series of postponements and cancellations of events which could have put our students at risk or increased their exposure.

"We've cancelled large assembles and we're also limiting cross-age activities as well as external persons on campus.

"Staff are aware of changes they might make in their teaching in terms of personal space and possibilities of cross-infection."

Mr Muldoon said cleaning services at the school have been increased for the past two weeks and have a focus on clearing surfaces.

"We have been aware since the start of the year of the increased risk of COVID-19 and have been strategically ramping up our responses as the situation unfolds," he said.

"We're currently checking our online capacity for our year 11, year 12 and potentially all other students to maintain their education by distance.

"We believe it's possible and as early as Wednesday we will do a test to see how strong our network capacity is for a fairly large online teaching presence."

Read More: Mid North Coast Local Health District's response to coronavirus

Spokesperson of behalf of St Agnes' Parish schools, Anne O'Brien said the Parish is working with Lismore Catholic Schools Office in taking all necessary precautions.

"While there has been no government-mandated closure of schools at present, we are constantly kept up to date with any announcements that may change these circumstances. For us, communication with staff, students and families is paramount," Mrs O'Brien said.

"At present, we are focusing on promoting health and hygiene at our schools over the coming weeks and encouraging the matching of this behaviour at student's homes.

"Advice from our Catholic Schools Office and Catholic Schools NSW, is for school excursions and inter-school sports competitions to be cancelled. Students returning from overseas or with influenza-type symptoms are subject to the same self-isolation requirements as instructed by the Australian Government.

"As this information is subject to change and to ensure our families keep up to date with any information, we would encourage them to stay updated via the St Agnes' Parish website or subscribe to the Parish's social media pages."

A Camden Haven High School spokeswoman said the school is implementing measures recommended by the Department of Education and NSW Health.

"First and foremost, staff and students who are unwell are required to stay at home. In addition, students are asked to wash hands thoroughly and regularly," she said.

"We have also issued information to staff and students on other ways to help manage the spread by washing hands and coughing into your elbow or a tissue and disposing of it immediately.

"At school we have implemented social distancing. This means school assemblies have been cancelled for smaller year/group meetings and excursions have been cancelled.

"In particular, our visit to the Indonesian sister school has been postponed until further notice and all Combined High School (CHS) sporting events are cancelled. The school musical that was scheduled later this term, has also been postponed.

"Students can still travel to school on public transport or school buses, but we ask that they refrain from physical contact like hugging or shaking hands.

"We would like to take the opportunity to remind parents/carers that students who are unwell, in particular with any respiratory illness to stay at home until they have no symptoms.

"The Department of Education is working closely with NSW Health to ensure we have access to the latest advice on how to keep our staff, students and community safe.

"We will continue to update our website with the latest information and if the school becomes non-operational, parents/carers will be notified via text message and email."

Schools in NSW are already adopting social distancing measures, including cancelling assemblies, excursions, and travel, as well as some events and conferences, according to NSW Department of Education Secretary Mark Scott.

Major sporting, arts and initiative events and activities will be temporarily stopped until further notice, including whole-of-school sporting events and inter-school events which involve three or more schools.

"The community expects schools to be as safe as possible. We are implementing these measures to provide peace of mind for students, parents and staff," Mr Scott said in a statement on Sunday.

"Local inter-school sport and other activities, can proceed but we ask organisers to ensure that as far as possible, reasonable precautions are taken," he said.

"I trust our principals and staff to show leadership during this time."

Read More: Two more COVID-19 deaths confirmed in NSW

Medical centres in Port Macquarie are urging residents to take precautions to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you have travelled to an at risk country or been in close contact with someone with the virus, please isolate and call your GP or 1800 022 222 for further advice.

If you are having trouble breathing and been to an at risk country or a known COVID-19 contact, go to the emergency department.

For more information about the virus, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au

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