BERLIN (Reuters) – The German state of Bavaria will close all schools, kindergartens and nurseries from Monday until the start of the Easter break on April 6 due to the coronavirus epidemic, dpa news agency reported, citing state government sources.
Calls have been growing for Germany to follow the bulk of its European neighbors in shuttering schools to help slow the spread of the virus, but in Germany’s highly devolved system, only regional governments can make that call.
In addition to the wealthy southern state, the tiny western state of Saarland also said on Friday that it would close its schools. Three other states, including North Rhine Westphalia, Germany’s largest, are due to decide on school closures on Friday.
(Reporting by Thomas Escritt; editing by Thomas Seythal)
