First Minister announces schools to close by the end of the week due to coronavirus
Published: 13:48, 18 March 2020
| Updated: 14:11, 18 March 2020
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that schools will almost certainly close on Friday, warning that she “cannot guarantee” they will reopen before the summer.
In a statement made in the last few minutes, Ms Sturgeon said it is "inevitable" that schools will shut and they will probably be shut by the end of this week.
Already a number of schools across the Highlands have closed due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
She also stated that £1.9 billion of support would be available in Scotland after the Chancellor’s announcement of a £350 billion package to support businesses across the country.
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