BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has announced a plan for Boston Public Schools to close on Tuesday, March 17 for up to six weeks, as the number of coronavirus cases in the region continues to climb.
On Friday, the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state jumped to 123 from 8 confirmed cases one week before. Following in the footsteps of dozens of other school districts, Mayor Walsh announced BPS would also be closing their campuses starting this week.
"We're not going to wait for more cases to be confirmed," Walsh said. "We've determined that now is the time to take bold action and slow the spread of this virus."
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Schools will be open on Monday, in order to allow parents and teachers some time to plan for the unexpected break, and for students to pick up any items.
"If the situation with coronavirus changes for the better, and we all pray that it does, we will bring our students back before April 27," Walsh said.
The decision to close Boston schools comes after an online petition reached 16,000 signatures.
Mayor Walsh also said plans are still being finalized regarding childcare, meals for students, and essential services for students with special needs.
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