BALTIMORE, MD—Child care centers in Maryland have been ordered to close by Friday evening due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On Thursday afternoon, Dr. Karen B. Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, announced that all child care providers would need to close by the end of the day on Friday, March 27, except for those serving essential personnel.

Licensed child care programs may be allowed to reopen on Monday if they obtain approval from the state, serve only the children of essential workers, and conduct a thorough cleaning of the facilities, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Essential personnel working in response to the COVID-19 pandemic who require child care are immediately able to register for these services by calling 1-877-261-0060.

Update from @MdPublicSchools regarding Child Care. pic.twitter.com/yZIcs81Iid

— Mike Ricci (@riccimike) March 26, 2020