All Florida public schools closing for 2 weeks due to coronavirus

TAMPA (WFLA) – Public schools statewide will be closed until March 30 due to the coronavirus, the state announced Friday.

8 On Your Side has learned this is by order of Florida’s Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

In addition, the department also announced that the start of state testing will be delayed by a minimum of two weeks.

Additional recommendations for schools and districts during spring break include:

Canceling all extracurricular activities.
Developing or perfecting the district or school instructional continuity plans.
Deep cleaning each school.

“Keeping students healthy and safe is my number one priority, and that is why we are recommending that districts follow the CDC’s guidance for Florida,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “We are continuing to monitor COVID-19, and I encourage all Floridians to remain informed and take the necessary precautions that have been issued by the CDC.”

Pasco County Public Schools confirmed school closures for an additional week following spring break.

IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING CORONAVIRUS: Pasco County Schools will be CLOSED next week for spring break and CLOSED an additional week after spring break. More information to follow.
— Pasco County Schools (@pascoschools) March 13, 2020

Officials with Hillsborough County Public Schools have also announced they will close for two weeks. In Hillsborough County, that includes the scheduled Spring Break from March 16 through March 20 as well as an additional week from March 23 through March 27.

The Fl. Dept of Education just gave the directive for all districts in Fl. to close schools for two weeks due to coronavirus.
We are on Spring Break next week, so this means our students and staff will not be returning to school until March 30.
Updates at https://t.co/5q2MHuinEL pic.twitter.com/H8EjvMuBP4
— Hillsborough Schools (@HillsboroughSch) March 13, 2020

pic.twitter.com/qUtQyofK2F
— Polk County Public Schools (@PolkSchoolsNews) March 13, 2020

School Closure Update – 03-13-20. Based on the direction of the Florida Department of Education, Pinellas County Schools will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. All extra-curricular activities are also cancelled for this period. https://t.co/WoK2gmvCgz pic.twitter.com/2EtiUNUPUy
— Pinellas Co. Schools (@my_pcs) March 13, 2020

.@Manateeschools will be CLOSED to students until Monday, March 30, 2020.

March 16-20, 2020 is Spring Break, so schools were already closed. The district will extend Spring Break for an additional week to meet @richardcorcoran's requirements.
— Manatee Schools (@Manateeschools) March 13, 2020

*BIG UPDATE: Students will not be returning to school the week after spring break (March, 23-27). Staff may be called into work the week of March 23rd.

Anyone who travels out of the country or on a cruise MUST self-isolate for 14 days regardless of health. More updates to come.*
— Sarasota Schools (@sarasotaschools) March 13, 2020