The Newark Archdiocese has canceled this weekend’s Masses and is closing Catholic schools amid concerns about the coronavirus.

Newark Archbishop Cardinal Joseph Tobin says that he has suspended the public celebration of Mass for Saturday evening, March 14, and Sunday, March 15. He has also relieved the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice.

“The celebration of daily Mass will continue. Churches of the Archdiocese will remain open and the faithful are encouraged to pray while maintaining a prudent distance from each other,” a spokesperson for the Archdiocese said in a statement.

All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese will be closed from March 16 through March 20. The situation will be re-assessed after a week. Religious education activities are also being suspended.

Gov. Phil Murphy has recommended that all public gatherings of 250 or more people be postponed for the time being due to the outbreak.

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