Chambersburg Area School District announces closure due to coronavirus

Chambersburg Area has become the first Franklin County public school district to announce a closure in light of the coronavirus situation.

“Out of an abundance of caution for our students and staff, and with a sincere desire to keep our community safe, the Chambersburg Area School District will close all schools from March 17 through March 27,” the district announced on its website Friday.

Schools are scheduled to open again March 30.

The announce said the action follows guidance from the governor and the Pennsylvania secretary of health that strongly encourages social distancing, which includes the suspension of large gatherings and events for a two-week period.

In addition, the guidance discourages individuals from traveling to recreational activities like gyms, movie theaters and shopping malls.”

“Though, as of today, March 13, there are no confirmed or presumptive cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Franklin County, we believe it is our responsibility to implement social distancing measures to protect our students and staff, and to mitigate the potential for Coronavirus to spread in our community,” the announcement said.

More:Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: Franklin County preparing for arrival of COVID-19

As this situation is rapidly evolving, the district said it will continue to provide regular updates through a COVID-19 website portal  — https://www.casdonline.org/covid19 — as well as social media channels and with direct calls and emails home to families.

Joyce F. Nowell is a Gannett reporter based in Hagerstown, Md.