GAINESVILLE — The Gainesville City School System became the first system to officially call off school and extracurricular activity due to the in response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
Gainesville Superintendent Jeremy Williams issued a release late Thursday that the system will be closed from Monday, March 16, to Friday, March 20.
Not long after on Thursday, Hall County, White County, Rabun County, and Lumpkin County followed suit. Hall, White, and Gainesville's announcements were just for one week. Lumpkin County is suspending all athletic events until at least March 23. Rabun County is suspending all athletic events through March 27.
Jackson County has announced that all athletic events from March 16 to March 30 have been suspended for Jackson County and East Jackson high schools. Buford City also announced late Thursday it is suspending action beginning on Monday.
On Friday, Dawson County Athletics Director Jason Gibson said the school will suspend all GHSA activities for two weeks starting effective immediately, which means all sporting events scheduled for Friday, including the varsity baseball game schedule vs. Cherokee Bluff is a no-go.
Banks County Athletics Director Mike Cleveland said they are expected to make a decision later Thursday. Officials at Dawson County and Habersham will wait until Friday to make any statements beyond this weekend. Jefferson also will wait to make an announcement.
(Check back later for updates on other school systems,)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2020/3/885464/area-systems-suspend-athletics