Ann Arbor, Dexter and Saline Public schools in Washtenaw County are closing through April 6 as a precaution against the novel coronavirus.

"In an abundance of caution, with guidance from the Washtenaw County Health Department, and in alignment with other Washtenaw county school districts, Saline Area Schools will be closed beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020," Supt. Scott Graden wrote in a message posted on the district website. "This is an unprecedented emergency school closure and a public health situation that is rapidly evolving. We intend to resume school on April 6th, 2020."

The decision marks the first long-term closure of schools in Michigan amid the outbreak. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced earlier that all Ohio schools would take a three week break as officials there look to slow the spread of the virus.

"These are sobering days for all of us in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic," Ann Arbor schools said in a statement. "We understand that this situation is likely to impact almost every aspect of our lives, and we know we must work together like never before to help each other as individuals, neighbors, and as a community."

Dexter schools said the decision was prompted in part by recommendations by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to avoid gatherings of more than 100 people and to limit gatherings to 10 when high-risk populations are involved.

"As a school district, we regularly have over 100 people in a shared space (i.e., lunches, etc), serve high-risk students, and have employees who are increased health risk," the district said. "We have an obligation to protect the safety of our students and staff."

Graden urged students to take home belongings they will need over the next three weeks.

"At this point, students are not required to remotely complete curriculum (lessons, assessments etc)," the statement said. "Online courses remain active and students should continue working."

Other districts, including the state's largest, Detroit, are keeping students home for a day or two. Detroit schools will close to students on Friday to free up administrators who will be "considering and preparing for the possible extended closure of schools," Supt. Nikolai Vitti said in a statement this evening.

"It will be an employee work day only," Vitti said in a Tweet. "We are considering a defined closure strategy that is best for the long-term health and safety of our employees, students and their families. Any consideration of a defined long-term closure will include academic support for students, access to student meals and online training for employees."

Trenton Public Schools also announced on their website that all schools would be closed Friday as well, though the district didn't say way.

Livonia Schools will also close Friday. LiMayor Maureen Brosnan announced that the confirmed case of COVID-19 that was previously announced in Wayne County is a middle-aged man who lives in Livonia and is being treated at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, according to Livonia Schools Supt. Andrea Oquist.

"In light of this information, and out of an abundance of caution, all schools in the Livonia Public Schools School District will be closed Friday, March 13," Oquist said. "At this time, the closure is for one school day only."

Like Livonia, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Grosse Pointe, West Bloomfield and Rochester and closing schools for a day or two for contingency planning in case they face a longer term shut down.

Contact John Wisely: 313-222-6825 or jwisely@freepress.com. On Twitter @jwisely