Gov. Tate Reeves announced Thursday morning that public schools throughout Mississippi would remain closed until at least April 17 due to the spread of the of coronavirus.

Reeves, who is currently in self-quarantine following a trip to Spain, made the announcement in a live video on Facebook.

“This is not a decision I take lightly,” Reeves said. “...It is perhaps the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make ... I know it is difficult for Mississippi families when schools are shut down.”

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Reeves said he will sign an executive order Thursday morning that makes the school closure official. By April 17, public schools in Mississippi will have been closed for four weeks, at which point Reeves said he and education officials will determine whether to further extend school closures.

The state is navigating "unprecedented, uncharted waters," Reeves said, but school officials are already finding innovative ways to make sure children continue to learn, including delivering school supplies to children's homes and using "distance learning."

"I know our teachers and administrators will step up during these challenging times," Reeves said.

End-of-year testing requirements will be relaxed, and Reeves said he is giving the state education department more flexibility to waive or change its rules and regulations over the coming months. Reeves also made it clear that school districts will continue to receive state funds and teachers will continue to be paid, despite the school closures.

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"Our teachers will get paid their annual salary on time as we expect," Reeves said.

School districts throughout the state have been closed this week. Several had already announced they will be closed for another week beyond then. State Superintendent Carey Wright called for state testing for the current school year to be cancelled.

Contact Giacomo "Jack" Bologna at 601-961-7282 or gbologna@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @gbolognaCL.