France to close schools to curb coronavirus spread - Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron speaks as the Eiffel Tower is seen in the background during a ceremony to honour victims of terror attacks in Europe, on the 16th anniversary of Madrid attacks, at the Trocadero in Paris, France March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool

PARIS (Reuters) - France will close from Monday all nurseries, schools and universities to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus, President Emmanuel Macron said in a televised address, calling the outbreak the nation's worst public health crisis in a century.

To prevent the economy from nosediving during the crisis, Macron said France would offer help for businesses and would work with European partners on a major package to relaunch the economy, "whatever it costs."