Both Northern Michigan University and Michigan Technological University announced Wednesday they will suspend most face-to-face classes and go to online instruction into at least April, joining other colleges in the state taking steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19.

In a letter to NMU students, faculty and staff, President Fritz Erickson said after consultation with state and university officials, the following decisions have been made with the health and safety of students, faculty and staff in mind during the COVID-19 outbreak:

— All classes, labs, events and campus-wide meetings are canceled today and Friday. The campus will remain open.

— Classes will resume in an online/distance delivery format beginning Monday and continue through April 3. A decision concerning the rest of the semester and final exams will be made by March 30. Faculty will provide information before the first class meeting next week to let students know how course delivery will be handled.

— Lab classes will continue meeting in person with exceptions determined by the academic department and the respective dean.

— Residence halls, student food services and recreation areas will remain open with some functional changes that will be determined in the next few days. The goal is to meet the needs of students while taking the necessary precautions.

— All large events in March and April of 150 or more attendees will be canceled or adjusted. Other campus events are subject to cancellation.

— Wildcat Weekend, NMU’s major spring student recruiting event set for Saturday, has been canceled.

“In short, the university remains open with most classes being held online,” Erickson wrote.

In Houghton, Michigan Tech officials announced it will suspend all face-to-face instruction and go to online only classes starting Monday through at least April 17.

All MTU instructors are expected to contact students no later than Wednesday with further information about course delivery. Students can return to campus or stay at another place of residence during the suspension, the university stated in a printed news release.

If they remain on campus, they are expected to practice appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures. Dining services and residential housing will remain open and operational.

High-risk populations are advised to stay off campus.

“The health, safety, and security of our campus is of utmost importance and a tenet on which we pride ourselves as an institution. Therefore, Michigan Tech is taking the following preventative actions to mitigate the impacts associated with the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus on our campus and in our community,” MTU President Rick Koubek said in a written statement.

Michigan Tech also will put new protocols in place for travel: Any student or employee who has completed travel to either a Level 2 or Level 3 country or who believe they may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus will not be allowed to return to campus for 14 days after the last date of possible exposure. The current list of Level 2 or Level 3 countries may be found on the CDC Information for Travel page.

Anyone connected to Michigan Tech who has traveled to a Level 2 or Level 3 country or has reason to believe they have been exposed should immediately email the university at covid-19@mtu.edu.

All international university-sponsored travel scheduled to depart before April 17 has been canceled, and Michigan Tech employees were advised to reconsider any university-sponsored domestic travel through April 17, the MTU statement said.

To view the full statement, go to https://blogs.mtu.edu/covid-19/2020/03/11/presidents-email/. For more information and updates, go to mtu.edu/covid-19,

Michigan State University and the University of Michigan said online classes or other arrangements will last for the balance of the spring term. U-M canceled Thursday and Friday classes in Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn so instructors can prepare for the next five weeks.

“Our goals are to deliver on our mission while protecting health and safety by minimizing the potential spread of the disease, both within our community and in the broader society,” U-M President Mark Schlissel said.

State officials, meanwhile, urged the public to consider canceling large gatherings while also continuing to wash hands, avoid handshakes and stay at home if ill. Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, said more coronavirus cases should be expected.

“Groups should evaluate and make decisions whether or not to cancel conferences, sporting events or concerts,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “This is to keep the most people we can safe. I encourage everyone to be flexible.”

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover.

The two Michigan COVID-19 cases involve a woman in Oakland County who traveled outside the U.S. and a man in Wayne County who traveled outside the state. Khaldun said local health departments were still trying to trace their contacts.

An MSU student showing symptoms has been tested for coronavirus and results are pending. The student had contact with the Detroit-area man, said Amanda Darche, spokeswoman for the Ingham County Health Department.

Wayne State University in Detroit extended spring break through March 22, while Central Michigan University told students not to return to campus after this week’s break and prepare for online instruction at least through March 20.

Oakland University, Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and Grand Valley State University also announced similar online policies.

In Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan said the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in the Corktown neighborhood was canceled.

Elsewhere, Michigan Chief Justice Bridget McCormack told judges across the state to consider postponing jury trials unless a criminal defendant is in jail or there have been long delays.

“These are not orders. They are recommendations. Every court is different,” Supreme Court spokesman John Nevin said, noting that some courts in northern Michigan “don’t have a lot of traffic” and could be at lower risk for the virus.

The Michigan Democratic Party might not meet March 21 to endorse candidates for the Supreme Court, state school board and university governing boards.

No spectators will be allowed to watch the boys high school swimming and diving championships this weekend.

Mining Journal staff writer Christie Bleck contributed to this report.