“All schools from early childhood education centers to universities will be closed from March 20 to April 4,” the NTT administration spokesperson Marius Jelamu told The Jakarta Post by phone Friday.

He added that the national examinations for high school and vocational schools that were scheduled to take place on March 30 would also be postponed.

"We won’t hold the national examinations. All high schools and vocational schools should adhere to the education and culture minister’s instruction to suspend the exams,” he said.

Marius said the school closings meant that students should study at home with parent supervision.

Contacted separately, Manggarai Regent Deno Kamelus said on Thursday that he had received the governor’s instruction and was ready to implement the measure.

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There were 38 people under general monitoring for COVID-19 in Tiller Maumere Hospital as of Thursday. Three people have recovered, Marius said.

"There is also an English national among the monitored patients. He was on a holiday on Flores but was said to have needed an appendectomy. However, we have sent his blood to be tested in Jakarta,” he said.

While suspending schools, the East Nusa Tenggara administration still allows business activities to take place with an appeal to people to avoid crowds and practice social distancing.

“We will monitor business activities. We warn that as stocks of thermometer guns and hand sanitizers are limited, no sellers were allowed to sell [them] at high prices,” he said. (aly)