The Ministry of Education yesterday advanced the first term end holiday to begin from today to counter the spread of coronavirus among students; schools will remain closed till April 20.

Addressing the media from his ministry, Dullas Alahaperuma said that the vacation was due to start on April 06, but it had to be advanced to meet the growing threat. The principals should take a decision on the sporting and other events which were to be held in the first term, he said.

Meanwhile all Private and International Catholic schools under the Archbishop would also be closed from March 13 to April 20, the General Manager of Catholic Schools said.

Alahapperuma also urged owners of private tuition classes and private schools to take an appropriate decision on the issue under the circumstances, as he had no power to issue directives to them.