Last Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that all schools in the state will remain closed through at least Friday, May 15. Murphy said his order covers all public and private schools.The state’s more than 600 school districts have been closed since March 16, with educators teaching remotely, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“We cannot be guided by emotion,” Murphy said at his daily afternoon news conference while noting he would love to have a different message about schools in a month.

The governor said he has heard frequent pleas, particularly from parents of athletes and those about to graduate, to salvage part of the academic year, and that the May 15 date gives New Jersey “at least one more shot to reassess” the public health situation and possibly let students return to schools.

“Nothing would give me more joy than being able to say we’re ready to go, but we’re not there yet,” Murphy said.