The governor of Virginia shut down the state’s schools until the end of the school year and nonessential businesses for the next 30 days.

Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced the closures at a Monday afternoon press conference where he said that keeping schools closed is an important way to prevent the virus, WAVY reported.

“School closures are necessary to minimize the speed at which COVID19 spreads and protect the capacity of our healthcare system,” Northam said.

The Virginia governor also closed down nonessential businesses, such as hair salons and barber shops, and ordered restaurants to only serve takeout and delivery to customers for the next 30 days.

Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

Image: With schools closed due to coronavirus, a mother carries free meals delivered by school bus to a low income area of Falls Church, Virginia, U.S., March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque