LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order today requiring all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year,

The move "ensures continuing of learning by setting guidelines for remote learning," the state said.

School district facilities may be used by public school employees and contractors for "the purposes of facilitating learning at a distance, while also practicing social distancing."

Teachers and school employees will be paid for remainder of school year.

“My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19," Whitmer said. "For the sake of our students, their families and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year.

"As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes.

"There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”

Read the full the executive order

See the entire order online.

Watch Gov. Whitmer's news conference this morning on schools and the coronavirus