Amherst College announced Monday night that the school will move to remote learning after spring break because of concerns over the spread of coronavirus, COVID-19.

Thursday and Friday classes have been called off and all students are expected to leave the campus by Monday, March 16, according to instructions posted on the Amherst College website. (Students may petition to remain on campus beyond March 16.)

Beginning Monday, March 23, students returning from spring break will complete work off campus.

The reason for canceling classes at the end of this week is “so faculty and staff have time to work on alternate modes of delivering courses, and students have every opportunity to secure transportation,” according to the college.

The 199-year-old private, liberal arts college is home to 1,849 students from 48 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries.

Students are being told to take as many of their belongings as possible since the duration of the change to remote learning is uncertain.

Smith College in Northampton has canceled events drawing large crowds because of public health concerns.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state as of Monday afternoon stands at 41, with one confirmed case and 40 presumptive positive cases.

There are more than 700 confirmed cases in the United States with 26 deaths reported.

There have been more than 114,000 reported cases of coronavirus worldwide, resulting in 4,027 deaths.

Related: