Oded Balilty/Pool/AP/File

Israel will close its schools and universities for five weeks to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday evening.

Schools will close immediately and will remain closed until after the annual Passover holiday, which concludes on April 16. The new directive does not include kindergartens, boarding schools, special education classes, and schools for at-risk youth.

The announcement comes as Israel has recorded 109 confirmed coronavirus cases. In addition, there are 31 cases in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Netanyahu also called for the formation of an emergency unity government "without hesitation, without delay," as Israel tries to handle the spread of coronavirus.

"It will be an emergency government for a limited period of time and together we will fight to save the lives of our citizens. We have to put politics aside. There will be time to return to exactly the same place," Netanyahu said. "The national responsibility and the personal responsibility will overcome every other consideration."

Israel is mired in more than a year of ongoing political deadlock which has made it difficult to pass budgets, set priorities, and manage the country, after three elections failed to deliver a clear majority for Netanyahu or his main rival Benny Gantz.

The swearing-in of Israel's new parliament, scheduled to take place this coming Monday, will be done in small groups and with no spectators to minimize the risks of contamination.