SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Officials with two of Southern California's largest schools districts have announced closures effective Monday, March 16, as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

The Los Angeles Unified School District and the San Diego Unified School District said Friday that campuses are expected to reopen April 6.

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The closures will keep a combined 750,000 students off campus for three weeks heading into spring break. LAUSD and SDUSD join numerous other school systems taking similar measures as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

Superintendent Austin Beutner of Los Angeles and Superintendent Cindy Marten of San Diego have issued the following joint statement:

“California has now entered a critical new phase in the fight to stop the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic,” they said. “There is evidence the virus is already present in the communities we serve, and our efforts now must be aimed at preventing its spread. We believe closing the state’s two largest school districts will make an important contribution to this effort. For that reason, we plan to close, effective Monday, March 16.

“Later today, we will be providing students, parents and staff with more information on our plans to continue providing learning opportunities for students during the closure. We have also directed staff at both districts to prepare to continue providing nutrition and other supports through family resource facilities.”

The boards of Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified School Districts have unanimously approved this action.

San Diego Unified plans to reopen schools on April 6th, unless conditions call for an extension.

SDUSD's closures will shutter 113 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, 4 atypical schools, 10 alternative schools, 27 high schools and 25 charter schools.

Friday's announcement comes after San Diego County officials issued a public health order banning mass gatherings of 250 people or more through the end of March.

READ: San Diego County officials ban large gatherings

