By: Mallory Gillespie

Governor Tom Wolf announced on Monday, March 23 in a press conference that all schools in Pennsylvania will be closed for two weeks in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Department of Education, schools will remain closed through at least April 6, 2020, and closures will extend past that date if necessary. 

“These measures may seem extreme,” says Wolf, “However, we are in desperate times and need to make drastic changes in order to save lives.”

I'm also extending school closures and other statewide #COVID19 mitigation efforts for ALL counties for 2 more weeks.

These measures may seem extreme. However, we are in desperate times and need to make drastic changes in order to save lives. #COVID19

— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) March 23, 2020

The PA Department of Education and Gov. Wolf said they will reassess any possible further closure needed as we approach April 6. 

PA Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera announced in a press release there will be intermediate units to provide technical assistance to schools during this closure to develop education plans for all students.

“The number of positive cases increases daily and we’re seeing it spread to more counties. We must adhere to the social distancing guidelines,” said Rivera, “Extending the closure will help every community in its efforts to mitigate the spread.”