Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) announced Thursday that public schools throughout the state will be closed until at least April 17 over the coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 10,000 people in the U.S.

Reeves signed an executive order to close schools for the four-week period after making the announcement in a live video on Facebook.

“This is not a decision that I take lightly. In fact, in my nearly 17 years of serving the public, it is perhaps the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” said Reeves, who is in self-quarantine due to a recent trip to Spain.

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“I know it’s difficult for Mississippi families when schools are shut down, and I also know, honestly, if we have our kids in our classrooms, we’re more likely to get more learning accomplished,” he continued, calling the move “in the best interest of all of our fellow Mississippians.”

Districts, states and universities across the country have been canceling classes as the federal government advises against gathering in groups of 10 or more. On Wednesday, Kansas announced it would be halting classes for the rest of the public school year.

Reeves said that this is a time “to continue learning” for Mississippi students and that state education officials are “already being innovative in finding ways to ensure our kids are continuing to learn during this school closure,” including online learning, “distance learning” and delivering school supplies to students.

The governor said he will also “relax” end-of-year testing requirements and accountability measures for students and educators. The Mississippi Board of Education will be allowed to waive rules or regulations that “make it harder for our kids to learn over the next several days and weeks and months."

School districts will also be given state funds and educators will be paid their salaries on time, Reeves said.

“This is not a time for us to panic. This is a time for us to recognize that we are in unprecedented, uncharted waters, but we will get through it. We will get through it because we are Mississippians. We will get through it because we are resilient. We will get through it because we are all dedicated and committed to get through it,” Reeves said.

Some school districts in the state had already closed prior to the Thursday announcement, the Clarion Ledger reported. State Superintendent Carey Wright also called for state testing for the current school year to be canceled for students.