POSTED ON MARCH 12, 2020 BY PORTSMOUTH DAILY TIMESGovernor Suspends Ohio Schools
By: Bailey Watts
Beginning after school on Monday, classes will be canceled
statewide.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Thursday schools public
and private are being placed under an elongated spring break. The three-week hiatus
will begin Monday afternoon.
“We know this will impact families. We understand the
sacrifice this will entail, but this is the right thing to do,” said DeWine.
Daycares will remain unaffected by the decree from the Ohio
Governor.
Academics and sporting events are closing in the wake of
COVID-19, now labeled as a “pandemic.”
Collegiate institutions have begun a process of transferring
into strictly online classes. While some are suspending classes all-together
for durations of time.
Portsmouth City Schools are taking what they call is a
“proactive approach” to the developing situation.
Monday, March 16th, classes will be canceled to allow
instructors to prepare academic content for long-term closure.
“The health, safety, and welfare of our students, staff and
community is our most important priority.” Portsmouth City Schools would said
via Facebook.
The Daily Times reached out to other districts within the
county and have not received a comment back.
High-school athletic tournaments are being postponed until
further notice via OHSAA.
In the press conference, DeWine announced that a fifth case
in Ohio has been confirmed and 52 are under investigation. By next week, the
number is expected to double. In an effort to limit the spread of the virus, Dr.
Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health signed an order.
Gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited within
the state.
“We are in a crisis and we have to treat it that way,”
DeWine said on Thursday. This comes three days after the governor declared
Ohio, under a state of emergency.
Excluded from the ban are: offices, schools, restaurants,
and retail stores. It does not apply to religious gatherings or gatherings of
first amendment protected speech either.
Scioto county votes on Tuesday. Voting is also exempt from
the ban on gatherings.
Ohio Governor DeWine announced schools public and private
are being placed under an elongated spring break. High-school athletic
tournaments are being postponed and mass gatherings are prohibited as the
number of confirmed cases rises.