FARGO — West Acres mall plans to close for nearly two weeks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

The mall will close at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, and remain closed through Tuesday, March 31, West Acres CEO Brad Schlossman said in a statement.

The move comes as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum recommends the closure of community gathering spaces to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The mall had initially closed food court seating and changed its hours in response to the pandemic.