All Schools Ordered To Close In Riverside County: COVID-19

UPDATED at 4:56 p.m. March 13

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — All schools in Riverside County have been ordered closed to step up the fight against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser issued the order late Friday afternoon.

“To further prevent the spread throughout the county, effective Monday, March 16, I am ordering a school closure, not a dismissal, of all Riverside County public schools. This order also applies to preschools, charter schools, private schools and all colleges and universities in Riverside County,” Kaiser said.

“We applaud those school districts that have taken proactive choices to close their schools starting Monday, March 16, 2020, in order to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in Riverside County,” Kaiser added.

Individual school districts will have the discretion to determine essential personnel to support critical functions within their districts.

Today’s order will be lifted on April 3 and classes will resume on April 6, unless another update is warranted before that time, Kaiser said.

“This is a difficult but necessary decision as we try to slow the spread of the virus. And I fully support it,” said Riverside County District 4 Supervisor V. Manuel Perez.

There has been considerable consultation with our superintendents to determine the correct course of action, Perez added.

Riverside County has 12 confirmed COVID-19 cases — 10 in Coachella Valley and two cruise ship passengers who have not returned to the region since being diagnosed.

One of the Coachella Valley cases is considered “community spread,” meaning health investigators have not determined the source of the infection.

Kaiser has recommended seniors and those with underlying health issues in Coachella Valley limit non-essential travel.

Kaiser on Thursday ordered the cancellation of public gathering of 250 people or more in Riverside County as a means of slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The order mirrors recommendations issued Wednesday evening by the California Department of Public Health.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE (before the countywide order was issued):

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — All classes and programs at nearly half of the school districts in Riverside County will cease as of Monday because of coronavirus concerns, while others stepped up precautionary measures without immediate closures.

RELATED:

• Murrieta Valley USD Closes Schools Due To Coronavirus
• Temecula Valley USD Closes Schools Due To Coronavirus

"This is a difficult decision, but necessary, as our nation tries to slow the spread of the virus," according to an MVUSD statement. "These are uncharted waters, and we appreciate ... understanding as we navigate through this situation."

MVUSD officials said a "distance learning program" via the internet is under development, but there was no word on when it would be active. District Superintendent Patrick Kelley did not provide a specific date for reopening of the schools.

MVUSD temporarily shuttered Murrieta Valley High School Monday after an employee who had traveled overseas returned to work ill and underwent testing for COVID-19. However, he was not infected, and the high school was back in operation Tuesday.

The TVUSD closures were announced almost immediately after neighboring MVUSD made its decision.

"Our plan is to resume school Monday, April 6th, depending on public health guidance and circumstances at that time," TVUSD Superintendent Tim Ritter said. "Communications regarding distance learning opportunities for students will be forthcoming should the need to extend school closures beyond April 5 become a necessity."

Hemet Unified School District also decided Friday afternoon to close all schools starting Monday, continuing through spring break, with a prospective resumption of classes April 13.

"This closure is for precautionary measures, and currently there are no known cases of novel coronavirus in our district," according to a HUSD statement. "These measures are to help slow the progression of the virus and protect our students, staff and community. HUSD will provide guidance early next week about supplementary resources, digital and non-digital, that can be used at home to review and reinforce knowledge and skills learned this school year. Students and families will not be required to use these resources but are welcome to do so."

Perris Union High School District is closing all schools effective Monday, March 16 through spring break.

"At this time, we anticipate reopening on Monday, April 13, 2020," the PUHSD posted on its website. "While our school facilities will be closed, plans are underway to offer distance learning opportunities. Announcements regarding distance learning are forthcoming."

Perris Elementary School District will also be closed beginning March 16th through April 3rd. Spring break follows the closure, so the soonest PESD students will return to classrooms is April 20, according to the district.

Menifee Union School District announced it would also close all schools effective Monday, March 16. The earliest schools could resume would be after spring break, Tuesday, April 14.

"However, if circumstances change we will let you know as early as possible," the MUSD told its families.

Other Riverside County school district closures:

• Alvord USD: Monday, March 16, 2020 thru April 3, 2020. (Spring Break: March 30, 2020 thru April 3, 2020.) School resumes Monday, April 6, 2020 pending latest information regarding coronavirus. Please monitor school district communications closely.
• Jurupa USD: March 16 - April 3
• Riverside USD: March 16 -April 3. An update on whether the school closures will be extended beyond April 3 will be provided by the end of the day, Friday, March 27.
• Romoland SD: March 16 - April 10
• San Jacinto Unified School District: March 16-27

Other school districts countywide appeared to be in wait-and-see mode, with portals dedicated to COVID-19 updates indicating that precautions were in place but closures were not imminent.

In the Palm Springs Unified School District, field trips, athletics and extracurricular activities involving large gatherings were not going to be held, at least through the end of the month, officials said.

The neighboring Desert Sands Unified School was also pulling the plug on outings, athletics, assemblies and performances that could draw crowds. Officials granted complete authority to parents or guardians to remove their children from school while countywide strategies to contain any potential spread of coronavirus continue. The kids will not be marked truant or chronically absent, according to the district.

RELATED: Coachella Valley Closures Due To Coronavirus (includes school information)

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—City News Service contributed to this report.