Coronavirus outbreak: Saudi Arabia closes schools and universities

Saudi Arabia closed its schools and universities after the coronavirus outbreak around the world affected 11 persons from the kingdom on Monday. 

According to the Saudi Ministry of Education, "preventive and precautionary" steps were advised by the health authorities to ensure maximum protection for students and staff. Schools have been closed from Monday until further notice. 

Public, private schools and vocational as well as training institutions will be closed as the kingdom reported four new cases of the infection which has spread to more than 76 countries and affected 110,000 people worldwide. 

Read more: Saudi Arabia suspends Umrah for locals amid coronavirus scare

The ministry called upon the activation of virtual schools so that students don't fall behind academically. "The Minister of Education directed that virtual schools and distance education be activated while the schools are closed to ensure that the educational process continues in an effective and quality manner," said the ministry. 

Minister of Health, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah confirmed that no cases of the coronavirus have emerged from Saudi schools or educational facilities. 

“Thank God, the situation is reassuring, and there has been no case in any educational facility. However, the increasing cases in countries have made us keen to enhance the safety of our sons and daughters. So we coordinated with the Ministry of Education to close the schools temporarily,” he tweeted on Sunday. 

The government has set up supervision offices to coordinate on distance learning and respond to parents' questions. A government committee will ensure proper protocols are followed as directed by the education ministry to ensure virtual schools adopt distance learning methods.

These include the virtual school platform (Vschool.sa) and materials available from the Apple and Android stores.

It will also provide lessons through the “Ain” TV channel and as well as on YouTube via this link: www.youtube.com/dorosien.

Saudi Arabia empties Kaabah for sterilisation

Saudi Arabia on Thursday had emptied Islam's holiest site, the holy Kaaba, for sterilisation over fears of the new coronavirus, an unprecedented move after the kingdom suspended the year-round Umrah pilgrimage.

State television relayed stunning images of an empty white-tiled area surrounding the Kaaba — a large black cube structure inside Makkah´s Grand Mosque, which is usually packed with tens of thousands of pilgrims.

The kingdom had termed it a precautionary move and said that the upper floor had been opened for prayers.