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Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam closed public schools for the remainder of the year and put additional restrictions on businesses, during a Monday afternoon press conference from Richmond.

“As a result of this closure, all events scheduled for Charlotte County Public Schools (CCPS) and its facilities for the remainder of the school year are canceled,” said CCPS Superintendent Robbie Mason. “I realize that this decision may be very disappointing on many levels for students, parents and our community; however, we need to do our part to keep our families and communities safe by limiting our contact with others.”

Mason says he knows that there are many unanswered questions in regard to education at this time but hopes to be able to answer many of those questions in the upcoming days and weeks.

“Please be patient as we attempt to reach decisions that are best for our students,” Mason said. “It is our intent to continue to offer free meals for all students this week, and potentially longer.”

In addition to school closings, Gov. Northam placed further restrictions on businesses.

Northam said essential businesses such as grocery stores, health services pharmacies, banks, and ABC stores will remain open. Existential businesses still have the responsibility to adhere to the social distancing rules of no more than 10 people gathered together and those people must remain six feet apart.

He said businesses such as bowling alleys, theaters, fitness centers and racetracks must close. Restaurants may remain open for curbside service and takeout only. Non-essential retail businesses may remain open if they can adhere to the social distancing guidelines. Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned.

“Our priority is to save lives,” Northam said. “We have a health crisis, and we have an economic crisis, but the sooner that we can get this health crisis under control, the sooner our economy will recover. So, I ask every Virginian to stand with me as we fight this battle.”

The order goes into effect at midnight Tuesday, meaning Wednesday will be the first day the new rules go into effect. The measures will remain in effect for at least 30 days.

“I know that the next several weeks, the next several months will be difficult. This will require everyone to change the way that we live and the way we interact with each other,” Northam said. “We have not been called upon to sacrifice like this in many, many years, but I am calling on you to do just that. We must put aside what we want and replace it with what we need.”

As of Monday afternoon, Virginia had positively diagnosed 254 cases of the coronavirus with 38 hospitalizations and six deaths.

The Southside Health District has confirmed one positive case in Mecklenburg County.

Currently, there have been no confirmed cases in Charlotte County.