Public/Global Health

Belgium suspends all classes due to coronavirus outbreak

Belgium’s Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès said on Thursday that all schools in the country would suspend classes starting Monday in attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the small European nation.

While classes would be canceled, schools will still be responsible for their pupils if their parents are unable to take off work or if they work in healthcare, according to Politico.

The prime minister also canceled recreational activities and shuttered restaurants and bars. Excluding pharmacies and grocery stores, shops will only be open during the week. Belgians are advised to work from home, though the country’s public transit will still continue to run, for the time being.

More than 300 people in the country of 11 million have been infected by the virus and four people have died.

In total, there are more than 125,000 reported cases of the virus worldwide.