Education Minister Dipu Moni on Tuesday announced that all the educational institutions of the country will remain shut until April 9, 2020, aiming to prevent spread of deadly coronavirus.

“The closure of educational institutions had been extended  until April 9 considering the situation,” she said while taking to reporters after a meeting at the secretariat.

The decision was taken at a meeting with the representatives of Primary and Mass Education Ministry and other concerned, she said.

The coaching centers will also remain closed during, she added.

Dipu Moni also urged the students to stay at their respective homes and follow the health directives of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Besides, academic programmes for students of class VI to class X will be aired through Sangshad TV channel from March 28 from 9 am to 9 pm, she said.

Deputy Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, secretary to the secondary and higher education division Mahbub Hossain,and high officials concerned were preset there.

On March 16, she announced that all the educational institutions of the country will remain shut until March 31.

The global death toll from coronavirus or Covid-19 reached 16,510 on Tuesday -- a mortality rate of 14 percent.

The virus has so far infected 378,842 people around the world, according to worldometer.

Of them, 260,268 are currently being treated with 12,062 in serious or critical condition.

So far, 118,574 cases had outcomes and of them, 102,064 (86 percent) recovered.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh so far confirmed three coronavirus death and 27 cases.

Bangladesh government on Monday declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent its transmission.

Besides, armed forces members will remain in the field in the divisional and district towns including coastal areas across the country from Tuesday to aid the civil administration maintain social distancing and strengthen the coronavirus preventive measures.

COVID-19 is affecting 195 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan).

The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic.