Italy's schools will close from
tomorrow, Thursday till March 15 due to the coronavirus,
Education Minister Lucia Azzolina said Wednesday.
"It wasn't a simple decision for the government, we waited
for the opinion of the scientific-technical committee and we
decided to suspend teaching activities from tomorrow till March
15," she said at the premier's office.
"It is a decision of impact, I hope the pupils will return to
school as soon as possible.
She said the government was committed to making sure that
"this essential public service may continue to be supplied
remotely to all our students".
Deputy Economy Minister Laura Castelli said that "we are
moving with the utmost speed and determination to safeguard
public and private workers.
"A norm is being drafted foreseeing the possibility for one
of the parents, in case of school closure, to absent themselves
from work to look after young children".
She said she had already spoken with Economy Minister Roberto
Gualtieri and other competent ministers and "we will do
everything necessary to reduce disruption to the minimum".
The government is lining up measures to assist families
including help in paying babysitters and extending parental
leaves, Family Minister Elena Bonetti said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
