The University of Hawaii announced today that it is closing all 10 of its campuses to the general public but they remain open to current students, employees and others doing business such as mail carriers and contractors.

“This is the latest step being taken for the health and safety of UH students and employees,” university officials said in a news release.

On Wednesday, the university system switched to online delivery of courses for the rest of the spring semester in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employees are being encouraged to work from home if possible and with approval from their appropriate supervisor, according to UH spokesman Daniel Meisenzahl.

“The closure of public-facing facilities and establishment of a process for employees to work remotely from home are in effect,” the university said in the announcement. “Employees who are working on campus and students who come to campus or reside in student housing are instructed to practice social distancing.”

The university is still in business and remains open to contractors, deliveries, emergency vehicles, police, rubbish collectors and the like.

The 10 campuses are UH Manoa, UH Hilo, UH West Oahu, UH Maui College, along with Leeward, Kapiolani, Honolulu, Windward, Kauai and Hawaii community colleges.