All Maryland schools will now be closed until at least May 15th, and possibly longer, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement from Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools. The closure was only supposed to last, initially, until April 24th. Dr. Salmon also called for “ramping up” online and distance learning capabilities, should schools remain closed until fall, or even further into the 2020-2021 school year. School systems across the state must submit a plan to the Maryland State Department of Education for ongoing remote learning.