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Montreal, Laval schools may close Friday

School boards in Montreal and Laval are in meetings with the Education Department over how to handle the new rule banning gatherings of more than 250 people.

One option is to close schools Friday while a longer-term decision is discussed.

“We exclude no options at this time,” an aide to Education Minister Jean-François Roberge told the Montreal Gazette Thursday afternoon.

On Thursday, Ontario announced that all public schools will be closed until April 5.

Some private schools in Quebec have already announced they will be closed on Friday. That includes Villa Maria High School in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.

Catholic churches cancel masses

Quebec bishops say they are cancelling all weekend masses to comply with the new rules banning large gatherings.