Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced every school in New York is now closed until at least the middle of April.

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On Friday, Cuomo announced he's extending his executive order directing all schools in New York to close until at least April 15.

"I have to reassess because April 1 is just in a couple of days and I believe the schools should remain closed. I don’t do this joyfully, but you look at where we are, I believe the schools should remain closed," Cuomo said during a press conference.

Around April 15, the state will reassess whether to extend the school closures further and continue to suspend the 180-day instructional requirement. Schools that exceed the closure period without state authorization will not be exempted from the 180-day rule.

"Schools will remain closed statewide until at least April 15 to reduce the spread of #COVID19," Cuomo tweeted during the press conference. "School districts will continue to provide childcare, meals and daily programming. We will reassess at that time."

School districts are still required to develop a plan for alternative instructional options, including distance learning; distribution and availability of meals; and daycare, with an emphasis on children of parents of first responders and healthcare workers.

Last week Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan fielded questions from Hudson Valley residents during a Facebook Live town hall. Molinaro predicted schools wouldn't open in April.

"The month of April isn't going to be a school month," Molinaro said, noting that National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony S. Fauci had indicated the country would need to reassess the progress of the disease after four to eight weeks.

On Friday, Cuomo also confirmed 519 people from the state have died from coronavirus, up from 385 from Thursday.

"We mourn the 519 New Yorkers lost to this vicious virus," he said. "This is the worst news I can give New Yorkers. It is heartbreaking. Sadly, we expect this number to rise as patients who have been on ventilators for weeks succumb. We will keep fighting to save every life we can."

He also announced 6,481 New Yorkers have been hospitalized and 1,583 patients.


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