Pakistan on Friday closed all educational institutions across the country for the next three weeks amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was taken in a meeting of the country’s National Security Committee, presided by Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the capital Islamabad, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood said on Twitter.

Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, heads of navy and air forces, and senior ministers also attended the meeting.

“It has been decided to close all educational institutions in the country till April 5,” said Mahmood, adding that the Education Ministry would decide on March 27 whether to extend the closure, applying to all public and private schools, universities and vocational institutions.