(CNN) - The majority of governors in the United States have ordered or recommended that statewide school closures continue for the rest of the academic year to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Several states have announced their plans to begin lifting social distancing measures and the federal government has issued new guidelines to reopen the country in phases, but it doesn't appear that students will return to the classroom this spring.
More than half the states in the US -- including Minnesota and Rhode Island -- as well as Washington, DC, have issued orders that will keep students at home, according to a CNN tally of school closures.
"At this point in time, there is no authoritative guidance, or advisories with respect to how to operate schools, safely and how to get kids to and from schools safely," Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told reporters on Tuesday. "We believe students, therefore, cannot safely return to school and avoid the risk of transmitting this virus to others."
Other states have only recommended that local officials continue supporting students through distance learning models. Those states are California, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, South Dakota and Tennessee.
These orders and recommendations impact approximately 38.6 million public school students, according to Education Week
States with mandatory closures
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin