TAMPA, Fla. — Schools in the state of Florida have been ordered to remain closed until March 30.
The order was directed by the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education, Richard Corcoran.
In addition, the department also announced that the start of state testing will be delayed by a minimum of two weeks.
→ COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CORONAVIRUS
Many Tampa Bay area schools are scheduled to be on Spring Break during the week of March 16.
The order will mean schools will also be closed during the week of March 23.
Here is a breakdown of each Tampa Bay area county:
Citrus County said on their website, "At 4 o'clock today on a conference call with Florida Department of Education Commissioner Corcoran and Governor Desantis, all school districts were mandated that all students stay home beginning this Monday, March 16 and returning Monday, March 30."
DeSoto County Schools students will not be attending school through Friday, March 20, according to their website. They added that parents will receive another update on or before March 20.
Hardee County students will not be returning to school until March 30, according to http://www.hardee.k12.fl.us/.
Hernando County Schools sent the following message to families:
"Good evening, this is John Stratton with an important update for our families and staff. This afternoon, Florida school superintendents were directed by the Commissioner of Education to close all schools for the next two weeks for students. Closure includes that all athletics and extra-curricular activities including field trips will be canceled starting Monday. All staff will return to their work sites on March 23rd
for training and planning. Students will return to school on March 30th. Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA will operate as usual..."
Hillsborough County students will not be returning to school until March 30, according to HillsboroughSchools.org.
Manatee County Schools will remain closed, but all school district employees will work the week of March 23 to prepare for the return of students on March 30.
Pasco County Schools said, on their website, students would not be returning to school until Tuesday, March 31.
Pinellas County Schools will now be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27.
Polk County Schools will be closed during the week of March 16 and will remain closed the following week for their scheduled Spring Break.
Sarasota Count Schools said students will be off next week for Spring Break and one additional week (in total, March 16 – March 27), according to their website.
→ CORONAVIRUS CLOSINGS AND CANCELLATIONS IN THE TAMPA BAY AREA
For a list of all Florida school districts, click here.