Italy to close all schools, universities amid coronavirus outbreak

The government of Italy announced that it would temporarily close the nation’s schools and universities due to the coronavirus outbreak, CNBC reports.

As of Wednesday morning, there were 2,502 cases of the virus in Italy, according to Italian media reports.

The closure was approved by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. It will be in effect from March 5 to March 15.Related: Italy shows how to tackle the coronavirus impact

It is also worth noting that Italy’s health authorities do not exclude the possibility of setting up a new quarantine area, a so-called red zone, to try to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported.

As we reported earlier, the Venice Commission decided not to hold a plenary meeting in Venice.

“Following spreading of Coronavirus in the north of Italy, the Enlarged Bureau of the Venice Commission decided not to hold the session in Venice but instead, the most urgent opinions requested by states and uncontroversial texts will be adopted by a written procedure,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament canceled 130 events and prohibited the entry of visitors to the Parliament