Colleges under the State University of New York and City University of New York system will be moving to a distance learning model for the rest of the spring semester in response to the coronavirus threat, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday.

The move to a virtual program will begin Thursday, March 19.

Students living on campus will be sent home, however Cuomo said those who have a hardship can ask to stay in their dormitories.

There are 64 SUNY campuses across the state.

“Guaranteeing the health and safety of the State University of New York’s students, faculty and staff is rightfully Governor Cuomo’s priority," the SUNY Student Assembly said in a statement. "We appreciate the Governor’s announcement that SUNY campuses will move to a distance learning model for the remainder of the spring semester. 

This comes after numerous private colleges and universities in New York have made similar announcements in recent days as a way to prevent spreading the coronavirus. Syracuse University made its announcement Tuesday, as did Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The announcement came during the governor's latest update at the Capitol, which updated the coronavirus numbers in the state.

Cuomo also said the state will start contracts with private labs for additional coronavirus testing.

The governor also said he is working with business leaders in the state to limit the spread of the virus.