Coronavirus: Italy to shut universities until mid-March

Italy is to close all its universities for 10 days as the death toll from coronavirus in the country continues to rise.

The authorities announced that the shutdown, also affecting schools, would start on 5 March and would continue until 15 March.

The stoppage follows the closure of universities in northern Italy, the heart of the outbreak, which is now in its second week.

As of 4 March, 2,706 people had tested positive for coronavirus in Italy, the highest tally in Europe. The death toll stood at 107.

Speaking previously, Piero Ignazi, professor of political science at the University of Bologna, said the institution had started teaching students online instead of in-person, adding that he was “confident that in a few weeks we can go back to the standard classes”.

Academics were still working on campus, and students were able to visit them during office hours, he said.

Universities across the West may need to close their campuses to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to experts who have urged institutions to ramp up their contingency planning.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com