PHE's (Public Health England) medical director Prof Paul Cosford acknowledged schools had to take "difficult decisions given the complexity of the issues that they're facing".
"Of course, schools have difficult decisions to take - a whole range of issues to take into account and we are able to talk to them about their specific circumstances and help them make the right decisions for them," he said.
"But what I would say is that our general advice is not to close schools."
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said there was "no blanket closure" for schools and the "goal was to keep schools open".
"If anyone has been in contact with a suspected case in a childcare or an educational setting, no special measures are required while test results are awaited," Mr Hancock told MPs.
"There is no need to close the school or send other students or staff home."
Dr Bharat Pankhania, from University of Exeter Medical School, said: "If you have returned from the area of northern Italy that is currently in lockdown since 19 February, you need to self-isolate, as per the advice from Public health England and the UK government.
"However, there's no need for a school to close. There are consequences to closing schools."
"It's disproportionate and it gives the wrong impression. It makes people extremely concerned, when there's no need to be."
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