(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey day care centers will close for most families, remaining open only for the children of essential workers like health care personnel and first responders.

Governor Phil Murphy made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday in Trenton on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are taking this step for a simple reason: We need all our front-line workers on the job,” Murphy said. “A lack of child care cannot be a barrier for them.”

New Jersey has 4,402 infections, up from 3,675 reported on Tuesday, Murphy said. Deaths climbed to 62 from 44, according to data posted on the state website.

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