Sri Lanka shuts schools

Hundreds of parents beseiged Sri Lankan schools Thursday following rumours that the coronavirus pandemic was spreading among children, prompting the government to close schools to ease tensions. Education minister Dullas Alahapperuma said social media misinformation had caused panic among parents at several schools in the Colombo region. Although no students were infected, the government brought forward holidays due to start from April 6, giving students three extra weeks off, the minister said. Sri Lanka reported 3 cases of coronavirus. Sri Lanka has also this week suspended visas on arrival for nationals of 48 countries, including all EU member states. Visas for Chinese citizens were halted in January as the virus crisis erupted.