TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Saturday that all K-12 schools in Florida will continue to use distance learning through the end of the school year.

During a news conference Saturday, the governor called it a fairly easy decision, noting that the prospect of reopening for just a few weeks in May offered little academic benefit.

It is a major change from the plans set last month for school campuses to reopen at the beginning of May.

The idea of returning to campus did not sit well with thousands of people, prompting the start of an online petition calling for the closures to be extended.

Supporters of the petition were worried a hasty return to school would only spread the coronavirus further and faster.

DeSantis said that officials looked at what a return would’ve looked like and they decided distance learning was the best option for the remainder of the year.

WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE WITH GOV. RON DESANTIS