NEW BEDFORD — All New Bedford schools and district administrative offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 7 ahead of the expected winter storm — and so will many other schools on the SouthCoast.

Superintendent Thomas Anderson noted in a statement that all classes, after-school activities, and virtual meetings are cancelled.

"This cancellation is out of concern for the safety of both our students and our staff who must drive in these conditions,” he said.

The Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School will also be closed.

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The district joins a rapidly growing list of SouthCoast communities banning parking and closing schools and municipal buildings ahead of the storm.

Other school districts that have already announced closures on Friday include Westport, Seekonk, Acushnet, and Swansea, as well as both Diman and Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical schools.

Meanwhile New Bedford officials also announced that COVID-19 testing at the South End fire station is canceled tomorrow due to the storm.

More coronavirus testing hours will be added at the Brock Avenue fire station on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting next week.

A full list of up-to-date school closures and parking bans for both Massachusetts and Rhode Island is available at at our Weather Center's list of closing and cancellations.

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