Ohio will be closing all schools for three weeks and the end of the day Monday, due to concerns over exposure to the coronavirus.
Governor MikeDeWine says the decision came after consulting with experts and will not include preschool and daycares. He says the move is intended to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
"Lokk, we're going to get through this. We gotta go through this gauntlet; we gotta run this gaunlet. And we gotta try to get through that gauntlet without losing too many of us."
There are now five confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ohio.
The announcement came as Ohio Health Department Director Dr. Amy Acton issued an order restricting mass gatherings over 100 people. The ban is not absolute and exempts work places, religious gatherings, weddings and funerals and other events. DeWine says school buildings designated as polling places will still be open on Tuesday. Over the next 72 hours the Ohio Department of Education will develop guidance for K-12 schools to help continue education for their kids.
DeWine encourages buisness who have the flexibility to allow their employees to work from home. He says the "extended spring break" will be reviewed at the end of the three week period.
