Turkey says schools, universities to close over coronavirus

Published March 12, 2020

A worker wearing protective clothing disinfect a historical mosque, in Istanbul, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, as a precaution against the coronavirus. Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the first case of coronavirus in Turkey on Wednesday. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness. (AP Photo) — AP

Turkish primary and secondary schools will be closed for a week from March 16, while universities will be closed for three weeks due to coronavirus, Reuters quoted presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin as saying on Thursday.

In a news conference following a meeting of ministers at the presidential palace, Kalin also said that all sports events will be played without spectators until the end of April.

A worker wearing protective clothing disinfects a historical mosque, in Istanbul, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, as a precaution against the coronavirus. Turkey's Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the first case of coronavirus in Turkey on Wednesday. — AP

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