The Ministry of Education says it "encourages" schools to ask students who have been in China over the school holidays to stay away, as more cases worldwide are diagnosed with the novel coronavirus.
The disease, named 2019-nCoV, is from the same family of viruses that causes the common cold and has similar symptoms.
In today's announcement, Secretary for Education Iona Holsted said the situation is "rapidly evolving internationally".
A number of schools in East Auckland have emailed parents about the virus.
"The health of students and staff is a priority for all. I encourage you to err on the side of caution and here are some steps you can take."
Ashley Bloomfield’s comments come as some pharmacies have reported selling out of face masks.
Students actively showing symptoms can be precluded by the principal, if they're at a state school, for the infectious period of the disease, Ms Holstead says.
More than 100 people have died from 2019-nCoV so far, with more than 4000 people diagnosed worldwide.
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