(CNN) Italy is closing all schools and universities across the country in an effort to prevent a further spread of the novel coronavirus, the country's government said Wednesday.

All schools will be closed from Thursday, and will remain shut until Sunday, March 15, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Education Minister Lucia Azzolina announced.

Azzolina said on her Twitter that the "prudent" decision was not a simple one and that the government waited for expert opinion.

The Civil Protection Agency said Wednesday that the country had 3,089 cases of coronavirus, including 107 dead and 276 recovered.

Some schools issued letters earlier on Wednesday informing parents and guardians they will be closed as a preventative measure as of Thursday, with remote online teaching beginning Friday. Schools already had the option to suspend teaching over the outbreak, but this has now become mandatory.

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