The government says the shutdown is to take effect Friday but is encouraging parents to keep their children at home immediately if they can. Daycares located at schools will also close, but licensed daycare facilities outside of schools can remain open.

The province says there's no evidence that the novel coronavirus is spreading through sustained community transmission, but suspending classes is being done as a preventive measure. They note every student will receive a final grade based on their current grade and students will progress to their next grade level next year and every student who is eligible to graduate from grade 12 will graduate.

Saskatchewan is also extending its ban on large gatherings of 250 people or more to places of worship.

The Ministry of Health has so far announced six cases of COVID-19 in the province.