Spring sports are taking a hiatus starting next week.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced Friday that all athletic events will be suspended beginning Wednesday, March 18.

Events include contests, practices, weightlifting and conditioning.

The last day for athletic activity will be Tuesday, March 17.

The announcement came shortly after Gov. Kay Ivey held a press conference declaring that all K-12 schools in Alabama will close at the end of business on March 18 and could re-open April 6 in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Executive director Steve Savarese sent a memo to schools on Friday.

“At the end of the 2.5-week school closure period, the AHSAA will re-evaluate health conditions and determine the status of spring sports championship play,” the statement said.