Turkey: Schools extend closure amid COVID-19

ANKARA

Turkey on Wednesday announced that it would extend the closure of schools in the country until April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Education Minister Ziya Selcuk announced after a meeting of a science council that education would continue with online and broadcast lessons, adding that make-up classes would also be held.

Selcuk also said that high school and university entrance tests could be postponed in a future decision.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has spread to at least 172 countries and territories. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a pandemic.

The number of confirmed cases worldwide has now surpassed 441,100 while the death toll is over 19,700 and more than 111,800 have recovered, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who contract the virus suffer only mild symptoms before making a recovery.