TRENTON — Gov. Phil Murphy has announced the indefinite closure of libraries across the state as part of what he called “a commitment to aggressively expand social distancing measures statewide" amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Murphy said Saturday the order that took effect at 8 p.m. Friday applies to all municipal, county, and state public libraries in addition to all libraries and computer labs at public and private colleges and universities.

The governor said many of the facilities are “an important part of the fabric of our community" but said New Jersey would “continue to be proactive in our approach to identify and enact measures to promote social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus.

Murphy said Friday that further social distancing measures wee likely over the weekend. He said two more people had died from the virus, bringing the state total to 11, and there are nearly 900 positive cases in the state, up from more than 700 on Thursday.

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