HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday ordered that schools remain closed for an additional two weeks, until mid-April, and issued a stay-at-home order for the seven counties that have been hardest-hit by the coronavirus.

During a mid-day briefing, Wolf said all schools will remain closed until at least April 10.

He said his stay-at-home order, which will take effect at 8 p.m. and last two weeks, applies to Philadelphia and its suburbs, as well as Monroe and Allegheny Counties.

The governor’s new orders took the fight against the coronavirus to a new level in Pennsylvania by requiring residents to remain inside except for essential trips such as buying food or seeking medical help.

The stay-at-home order will apply to Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties in the southeast, Monroe County in the northeast, and Allegheny County in Western Pennsylvania, the governor’s office said.

Wolf’s order comes a day after Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney issued a similar order for the city’s 1.6 million residents — and the sources said the governor’s order is expected to closely mirror what Kenney has put into place.

In Philadelphia, all public and private gatherings of any number of people that occur outside a single household are banned, except for limited exceptions outlined in Kenney’s order. The work of designated “essential businesses” and “essential personnel” continues as before.

People can leave homes to care for family members, friends, or pets in another household, to deliver essential goods, and to report to a job that’s related to an essential business.

NOTE from CSPD: This is not necessarily any different than what we have been messaging all along. Please stay home if at all practical/possible. Stay calm, stay safe at home.

Your emergency service workers (Police/Fire/Medics) will stay available 24/7 for you. Stay home for us.