Gov. Inslee orders Seattle-area schools to close for 6 weeks due to coronavirus
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OLYMPIA, Wash. – Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday announced that all public and private schools in the Puget Sound metro area will close for six weeks as the region continues to deal with the coronavirus outbreak that has killed at least 31 people and and sickened hundreds across Washington and around the world.
"A six-week closure is not a decision made lightly," he said during the press conference to announce the news. "It came after many discussions" with local school officials.
The order directs 43 school districts across King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties to end classes no later than Tuesday, March 17 and remain closed until April 24. It would apply to all K-12 public schools and private schools. There are over 600,000 students affected by the closure – more than half the students in the state.