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PHOENIX — Arizona public schools will be closed for at least the next two weeks.

In an announcement Sunday, Gov. Doug Ducey and state schools chief Kathy Hoffman said they do not want schools to open on Monday to help fight the spread of coronavirus.

The closure will run through at least Friday, March 27.

That's when Ducey and Hoffman said they will reassess.

In an open letter to families and educators, the pair emphasized that the closure will address only "operational issues."

"Doing this will not stop the spread of COVID-19," they said.

"The safest place for children during this time is at home," the governor and schools chief continued. "They should not be cared for by elderly adults or those with underlying health conditions, including grandparents and other family members."

The issue of what are the options for parents who cannot stay home was only tangentially addressed.