US

At Least Nine States Close Down All Public Schools

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Public schools across the country have begun to close over the coronavirus pandemic, with some states outright declaring that all public schools are closed.

Officials in Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Kentucky and New Mexico declared this week that schools in their states will be closed, while some public schools in Washington state, Virginia and Connecticut also temporarily closed down.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Friday afternoon that all Virginia schools will be closed for two weeks.

Lousiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a Friday proclamation halting gatherings of more than 250 people and closing all K-12 public schools beginning March 16 until April 13.

Pennslyvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all Pennsylvania schools to close down for two weeks beginning March 16 as well.

Maryland officials announced Thursday at a news conference that all public schools would be closed beginning next week and through March 27.

State Schools Superintendent: Mon through Friday next week, all schools will be closed in the state of Maryland @wjz #BREAKING

— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) March 12, 2020

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered Thursday at a press conference that all Ohio public schools, including public, private and charter schools, would be closed for three weeks beginning Tuesday, March 17.

New Haven, Connecticut, public schools closed indefinitely due to concerns over the pandemic, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee ordered that schools in Seattle close for a minimum of two weeks. Virginia public schools have also begun to close down, including Louden County Public Schools and Fredericksburg City Public Schools.

The largest school district in Texas, the Housten Independent School District, will also close for two weeks.

Los Angeles and San Diego school districts announced Friday that all schools would be closed, a move which will impact over 750,000 students in Southern California.

Meanwhile, New York school chancellor Richard A. Carranza has said that school closings will only come as a last resort.

Update as of 8:32 PM PDT pic.twitter.com/2OVhpQ1vQ4

— Austin Beutner (@AustinLASchools) March 13, 2020

This post will be updated if additional states cancel or close school.