Coronavirus: Greece Shuts All Schools for Two Weeks

Photo source: Greek Education Ministry

Greek Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Tuesday announced that all schools and universities in the country will remain closed for the next 14 days in efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The measure will come into effect on Wednesday, March 11.

According to the minister, the measure is preventive and applies to all educational institutions (private and public) of all levels across the country: nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools, private vocational education and training institutes (IEK) and universities (private and state).

The measure will also apply to the schools in Greece that offer tourism studies and training courses that are supervised by the Greek Tourism Ministry: Institutes of Vocational Training (IEK), Advanced Schools of Tourist Education (ASTE), tourist guide schools and postgraduate programs.

Earlier on Tuesday, the health ministry announced five new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Greece, bringing the number to 89.

Photo source: Greek Education Ministry

Greek PM to announce new measures

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Wednesday will take part in a teleconference of EU leaders to discuss a joint-response to the coronavirus outbreak. The teleconference will take place at 6pm (Greek time).

According to reports, the Greek PM is expected to announce new measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus, protecting public health and tackling the economic consequences.