Georgia colleges to close for 2 weeks due to coronavirus

ATLANTA — The University System of Georgia is taking action to curb the spread of coronavirus and has suspended all classes for two weeks.

"University System of Georgia institutions will temporarily suspend instruction for two weeks to allow time for USG institutions to test their business continuity plans and online instruction modules and for state officials to continue to assess the current situation regarding coronavirus (COVID-19) in Georgia," they said in a letter to presidents.

They are urging students currently on spring break not to return to campus.

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Students on campus are being asked to leave by the end of the day on Friday, and to "remain away from campus" until March 29. The decision affects nearly 330,000 students enrolled in the system, according to numbers from last fall.

The University System says students are not yet being asked to move out of their dorms for the remainder of the semester. They've asked presidents to "establish a mechanism" for those students who are unable to leave campus to "safely accommodate" them on campus.

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They concluded by asking the presidents to activate "relevant business continuity plans and ensure the operation of online instruction should that become necessary."

The schools that are a part of the University System of Georgia, which is home to four research universities, include: 

Augusta University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia State University
University of Georgia
Georgia Southern University
Kennesaw State University
University of West Georgia
Valdosta State University
Albany State University
Clayton State University
Columbus State University
Fort Valley State University
Georgia College & State University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Middle Georgia State University
Savannah State University
University of North Georgia
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
College of Coastal Georgia
Dalton State College
East Georgia State College
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Highlands College
Gordon State College
South Georgia State College