The Grand Rapids Public Schools district will close for three weeks amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

The announcement comes after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered all K-12 schools in Michigan to be closed, starting March 16 and ending April 5. GRPS opted to close school Friday, March 13, and sent a memo to all administrators, teachers and support staff to report to school as usual Friday.

The closure of schools comes after it was revealed 12 individuals in Michigan tested positive for COVID-19, including three in Kent County.

There were two cases in Michigan on Tuesday and that number spiked after 10 more individuals tested positive Thursday.

“This, we feel, is a necessary step to protect kids and teachers and families and our overall public health,” Whitmer said. “I believe school employees should continue to get paid as though schools are still in session.”