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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Chilton County Schools has closed until  April 5.

In a statement on it Facebook page the school system stated:

“After consultation with health agencies and surrounding school systems, Chilton County Schools will close immediately. All school related activities are canceled or postponed. No school activities will occur until Monday, April 6, 2020. Information about lunch meal services will be provided on Monday, March 16, 2020. Thanks for your patience as we work through this crisis!”

Earlier on March 14 the school system had announced closing as of March 18 but amended the date that evening.

“The Governor declared a state of emergency, so all school activities will be canceled during that time period,” Superintendent Jason Griffin said.

Griffin will be meeting with staff and the maintenance departments on March 16 to develop a plan for cleaning the schools during the break. Plans are also in the works for how to have food available for students during this time.

The school system had already released a statement canceling field trips until April 30 and cautioning those with travel plans.

Griffin is requesting everyone review information released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“If you are traveling to a Level 2, 3, or 4 Country as outlined by the CDC, we respectfully request that you notify your local School Administrator,” Griffin said. “In addition, please communicate with us if you are traveling to a domestic location with a known outbreak or if you are scheduled to travel on a cruise ship. Based on the CDC levels of concern, there may be post travel protocols that apply. If you are traveling, please visit the CDC website for continually updated information on travel risks and recommendations. We are continually monitoring new information and will update you as it becomes available. Please visit the Chilton County Schools website for updates.”

The CDC website can be accessed here

Schools had already been scheduled to be out March 23-27 for Spring Break.

The Chilton County Board of Education will meet as scheduled on March 17 at 5 p.m.