Sarasota County Schools and the School District of Manatee County announced today that the state of Florida has informed them that students should be kept home next week, for spring break, as well as one additional week—from March 16-March 30. The announcement came after the school systems participated in a phone call with the governor's office and other school districts around the state this afternoon. Manatee County said its school staff would work the week of March 23 to prepare for students' return on March 30; Sarasota County said that its employees may be called into work that week.

In addition, the school systems said that as of Monday, March 16, all extracurricular activities are cancelled until further notice, including previously scheduled practices.