request for temporary closure of schools throughout the country by P.M in Japan

request for temporary closure of schools throughout the country by P.M  in Japan
To request for temporary closure of schools throughout the country from next month to spring vacation Prime Minister

Following the spread of the new coronavirus, Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to request that all elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools nationwide be closed temporarily from spring 2 until spring break from next month. In the future, we will make requests to related organizations nationwide. This request does not include kindergartens, daycare centers and schoolchildcare.

The government opened a headquarters for countermeasures against the new coronavirus at the Prime Minister's Office at 6:00 pm on the 27th.

Prime Minister Abe noted that temporary closure of elementary and junior high schools has been taken in Hokkaido and Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, and said, "Efforts have been made to prevent the spread of infection to children in each region. But the last couple of weeks is a very important time. "

He said, "First and foremost, put children's health and safety first, and prepare in advance for the risk of large-scale infection caused by many children and teachers gathering for long hours on a daily basis." He stated that all elementary and junior high schools, as well as high schools and special needs schools, should be closed temporarily until spring break.

When conducting entrance examinations and graduation ceremonies, Prime Minister Abe will take measures to prevent infection and take the necessary measures to minimize the number of people required, and it will be easy for administrative agencies and private companies to take a break. She sought to take care of parents with children, and expressed the government's responsibility to respond to the challenges arising from these measures.

In response, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will make requests to related organizations nationwide in the future.

This request does not include kindergartens, daycare centers, and schoolchildcare where elementary school children are kept after school.

In addition, Prime Minister Abe at the Response Headquarters listened to experts' opinions on measures necessary to reduce the risk of infection in such places, taking into account the fact that persons confirmed to be infected used sports clubs. , He called for urgent action.

"There is a concern that the spread of infections in Japan will increase in the future. For this reason, it is necessary to further increase the effectiveness of measures and to control the spread of infections and minimize their impact on people's lives and the economy. I want you to prepare for a new bill as soon as possible. "

Kindergarten nursery schools are not eligible
The government has stated that the request does not include kindergartens and daycare centers.

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, "Kindergartens and daycare centers were not included in this request because they have children who can not stay at home alone."