Benue State Government has ordered closure of all schools from Friday.

The move is part of measures to protect the state from coronavirus pandemic.

Briefing journalists after the State Executive Council Meeting today, Commissioner for Education, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, said all schools in the state had been directed to conclude examinations on or before March 27 and proceed on holiday.

The Commissioner urged schools to ensure that physical contact is restricted before the end of the examinations.

He stated that the decision to close schools before the scheduled end of the current academic term had become necessary as part of measures to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the state.

Professor Ityavyar expressed the commitment of the Ortom administration to safeguarding the future of the Benue child.

Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Sunday Ongbabor, said Benue has established an isolation centre at the State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

He said surveillance against coronavirus had been stepped up and advised the people to avoid shaking of hands and observe person hygiene such as frequently washing their hands with soap