Inslee to order monthlong closure of all schools in three counties: report

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) is set to announce that public and private schools in three counties will close for the remainder of March and most of April as the state grapples with the worst coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.

A source close to the governor confirmed to The Seattle Times that Inslee plans to issue the executive order in the coming days to shutter schools in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties that collectively service more than 563,000 students.

Inslee had placed schools in those counties on notice a day earlier, warning them to prepare for imminent guidance on how the remainder of the school year would operate in the face of the coronavirus, which has infected more than 1,300 in the U.S. and more than 127,000 globally.

The order would officially shutter schools starting March 17, with the expectation of reopening on April 24, according to the Seattle Times.

It reportedly wasn’t clear immediately whether state officials had plans for how public school employees would be paid or whether meal services would continue amid the closures for impoverished students, many of whom rely on free meals from public schools.

Four districts in the state including Seattle have already closed schools, reportedly with tentative plans to open later in March.